Bossiney Haven a secluded cove close to Tintagel which is a lovely place to swim or paddle on a warm summer's day. There is no beach at high tide but when the tide is fully out there is a beach of golden sand which stretches around the other side of the headland (known as Benoath Cove) from the main inlet (Bossiney Haven). There is good snorkelling to the far left of the beach, and also to the far right when the tide is right out. The beach is not patrolled by lifeguards and combined with the steep steps down, it's not ideal for young children.
About half-way down to the beach, the coast path crosses the path. It's half a mile along the coast to the bottom of Rocky Valley so a circular walk is possible by walking back along the road between the Bossiney parking area and the top of Rocky Valley.
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Directions by car
Drive into Tintagel and turn right, follow the road through Tintagel and out towards Boscastle. Just past Ocean Cove Caravan Park there is a small triangular parking area with space for about half a dozen cars and toilets. There is a field behind this which is available for parking in the Summer. From the triangular parking area there is a well marked footpath which leads down some steep steps to the beach (approx 15 walk).
Directions on foot
Head up Trenale lane next to the post box opposite Park Farm, cross straight over 2 junctions and a crossroads and down the hill. You can either take the footpath from the farm to reach the triangular parking area in Bossiney or alternatively go to the bottom of the hill, cross the road and walk down Rocky Valley and walk over the headland to Bossiney on the coast path. To create a circular walk you can come back through Tintagel or for an even longer walk via Tintagel Castle and Trebarwith Strand.
The Visitor Centre in Tintagel has a leaflet (costing 60p) for a 6 mile circular walk from Bossiney to Trevalga. Alternatively there is a circular walk to the beach from Park Farm on our walks page covering Bossiney and Tintagel.
Walks to Bossiney Haven
Bossiney to Rocky Valley (1.75 miles)
The walk starts out across fields then follows the Trevillett river down Rocky Valley though woodland and out into the canyon leading to the sea. The walk then joins the coast path, climbing up onto the headland and behind Benoath Cove and on to Bossiney. The route turns inland though farmland back to the start of the walk.
Tintagel and Bossiney (6 miles)
The walk starts along a quiet lane with nice views that takes you through Trenale and along a footpath to Bossiney where Sir Francis Drake was elected a member of Parliament. The route descends to Bossiney Haven and then follows the Tintagel coastline past Willapark headland until it reaches Barras Nose - the first coastal land ever purchased by the National Trust. From here the route heads into Tintagel past the Castle Hotel and runs through the centre of Tintagel past the Old Post Office and King Arthur's Great Halls before returning to Trewarmett via some back lanes. With a tactical geocaching diversion, the route can take you past 10 geocaches.
