Polzeath to St Enodoc Church

1. At Polzeath, head up the hill to the right behind the beach and take the path on the bend signposted to the coast path.

Polzeath rivals Bude for Cornwall's second surf capital after Newquay. Bustling in the summer, it's a good place to get surf lessons, buy surf gear or just give it a go. There is quite a lot of parking (on the top of the beach itself).

There is a beach at all stages of the tide. Down the left side of the beach there are some good rockpools at low tide. The rest of the beach is very flat and sandy, which can make for some long rides (and paddles!) if you are surfing, but also means in the shallows the waves are small which makes it safer for small children to paddle or surf than some of the steeper beaches further north. It's lifeguard patrolled and there is usually a separately flagged malibu area to avoid surfers mowing down swimmers. To the left along the coast path are a number of smaller beaches. Also to the right onto Pentire Point there are a couple of small beaches.

The tide goes out and comes in a long way so bear that in mind to avoid floating picnics. In the event of such a catastrophe or for those more inclined there are a number of cafés around the beach and even a grocery shop. There is often an ice cream van on the beach in the Summer so parents may want to be armed with change to avoid diplomatic incidents.

2. Follow the path (known as "The Greenaway") along the cliffs passing Cafe India and a couple of sandy beaches behind the rocks until you reach Broadagogue Cove and Greenaway Beach. At Greenaway Beach there are steps down onto the beach.
The sandy soil here is able to support plants more commonly seen on chalk downs such as cowslips, due to the sand being comprised of small fragments of shell (calcium carbonate). The majority of the soil in North Cornwall is acidic particularly towards Bodmin Moor, so sand from the beaches was used extensively to improve the soil fertility for farming.
3. Follow the coast path on to Trebetherick Point
Next to the path as you round the point are the remains of shipwrecks, washed ashore in heavy seas.
4. At the point you can (carefully) climb down onto the stripey slate formations which are worth a short detour

This stretch of coastline is a geologist's paradise deemed "difficult and controversial (therefore interesting and exciting!)" by the Open University Geological Society. The rest of us can admire the pretty green-and-purple-striped slate!

The Camel Estuary is notorious for the Doom Bar - a sand bar which has caused many ship and small boat wrecks. For ships sailing into the bay on the prevailing SW wind, a great hazard was caused by the immediate loss of power due to the shelter from the cliffs. Once becalmed they would drift helplessly and run aground on the Doom Bar. Therefore rockets were fired from the cliffs to place a line on board to allow ships to be winched in more safely. Along the coastal path on the cliff top is an abandoned manual capstan which was used to winch in the ships.
5. From the point follow the path along the edge of Daymer Bay and out into the car park

Just around the corner from Polzeath, Daymer bay faces into the Camel Estuary. The sheltered estuary is popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing etc. There is a beach at all states of the tide and the waves are never very big so its a safe place to take young children paddling. There is plenty of car parking even at the busiest times in the Summer. The beach starts right next to the car park.

6. Take the steps down to the beach and walk along it about half way to a gap in the dunes where a stream emerges.
7. Take path inland onto the golf course, following the path alongside the white stone markers, heading for St Enodoc church
St Enodoc church dates from the 12th century over a number of centuries became virtually buried by the dunes. In order to collect its tithes, the church had to host services at least once a year so the vicar and congregation had to enter through a hole in the roof during this period. During the 19th century the church was excavated and later it became a favourite place of Sir John Betjeman who is buried in the churchyard.
8. Follow the path into churchyard

You'll notice that there is lichen growing on many of the headstones in the churchyard. Of the 2000 British species, over a third have been found in churchyards and more than 600 have been found growing on churchyard stone in lowland England. Almost half the species are rare and some seldom if ever occur in other habitats. Many churchyards are found to have well over 100 species.

Lichens are a partnership of two different organisms: a fungus providing the "accomodation" and an alga or cyanobacterium providing the "food" through photosynthesis. The fungal partner provides a cosy, sheltered environment for the alga and tends its with mineral nutrients. However the alga partner is more than simply an imprisoned food-slave: it is such a closely evolved alliance that the fungus is dependant on it for shape and structure. If the fungal partner is isolated and grown on an agar plate it forms a shapeless, infertile blob.

9. From the church bear left and follow the path inland following the white marker stones across the golf course to a gate.
10. Go through the gate and head downhill towards the houses to a stile

If there are sheep in the field with lambs, avoid approaching them closely, making loud noises or walking between a lamb and its mother as you may provoke the mother to defend her young. Sheep may look cute but they can cause serious injury (hence the verb "to ram"). If the sheep start bleeting this means they are scared and they are liable to panic. Generally the best plan is to walk quietly along the hedges and they will ignore you.

11. Cross the stile and go over a stone footbridge then take the right-hand path (directly inland) across the field to a stone stile which emerges on the road
12. Cross the road and follow the signposted track opposite between the houses to the field behind
13. Cross the field to the opening in the middle of the far hedge
14. In the next field turn left slightly aiming for the middle of the section of hedge you are facing
15. The path emerges on a golf course. Avoiding more golf balls make the start of the hole towards the clubhouse.
16. When you head the bunkers near the start of the hole follow the path up to the left (not the road straight on to the tennis courts)
17. Follow the path across the golf course (listing carefully for "fore") and heading for the top left corner
18. At the top-left corner of the golf course take the path under the trees crossing a footbridge to the back of a caravan park
19. Follow the path along the edge of the trees and along the edge of the caravan park to Polzeath

Map of Route

• Display full-size map in a new tab
• Download route as GPX file
• Download route as Google KML file

Other walks nearby

• Walks in the daymer bay area
• Walks in the polzeath area
• Walks in the rock area

Related walks you might be interested in

• Walks with a beach
• Circular walks
• Coastal walks
• Walks with potential for foraging
• Heritage walks
• Pub walks
• Wildlife walks