Self-Launched Walking in Cornwall: Padstow to Charlestown

Make your way to Padstow, Cornwall's celebrated foodie harbour town. From London, take a Great Western Railway train to Bodmin Parkway (~£40–70 advance, approx. 4.5 hrs from Paddington), then either a local bus (~£5, ~1 hr) or taxi (~£25, 35 mins) into Padstow. Check in to your guesthouse and spend the evening exploring the quayside. Treat yourself to Rick Stein's famous fish and chips or try one of the many independent restaurants around the harbour.

🚌Great Western Railway London Paddington to Bodmin Parkway (~£40–70), then First Kernow bus 11A to Padstow (~£5) or taxi (~£25)

🛏Treverbyn House B&B or similar harbour-area guesthouse in Padstow (~£70–90/night)

• →Arrive by train to Bodmin Parkway, then bus or taxi to Padstow
• →Check in to guesthouse accommodation near the harbour
• →Evening stroll around Padstow quay
• →Dinner at Rick Stein's or a local seafood restaurant

Catch the Black Tor Ferry across the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Rock (~£5 return, runs regularly in season). Walk the coastal trail north through Rock to the sweeping beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay, up to Pentire Head for stunning Atlantic views, then past the famous sunken churchyard of St Enodoc Church across the dunes. Return to Padstow by the foot ferry in the late afternoon. The route is approximately 16 km / 10 miles on well-maintained paths. Pick up a pasty or fish and chips for lunch in Rock or Polzeath.

🚌Black Tor Ferry Padstow–Rock (~£5 return); walking throughout

🛏Treverbyn House B&B or similar harbour-area guesthouse in Padstow (~£70–90/night)

• →Black Tor Ferry across the Camel Estuary to Rock (~£5 return)
• →Coastal walk to Polzeath and Daymer Bay (~16 km)
• →Visit St Enodoc Church and the dunes
• →Pentire Head viewpoint — look out for Atlantic seabirds
• →Return to Padstow by foot ferry

Walk west out of Padstow along the South West Coast Path to Stepper Point, a dramatic headland jutting into the Atlantic — keep your binoculars handy for peregrine falcons nesting on the cliffs. Continue along the coast through Trevone and on towards Harlyn Bay or Constantine Bay depending on your pace (~16 km total). The Cornwall Wildlife Trust has free information boards throughout, and you can learn about local conservation via their website (cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk) before your walk. Catch a First Kernow bus back to Padstow from Constantine Bay or Harlyn (~£4).

🚌Walking; First Kernow bus back to Padstow from Constantine Bay (~£4)

🛏Treverbyn House B&B or similar harbour-area guesthouse in Padstow (~£70–90/night)

• →Walk the South West Coast Path to Stepper Point (~16 km)
• →Birdwatching for peregrine falcons at Stepper Point
• →Walk through Trevone, Harlyn Bay, and Constantine Bay
• →Read up on Cornwall Wildlife Trust conservation work at cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
• →Return by First Kernow bus to Padstow (~£4)

Take the First Kernow bus from Padstow to Bodmin (~£5), then a short taxi or the 27 bus to Lanhydrock (~£5). Explore the beautiful National Trust gardens at Lanhydrock (NT members free; non-members ~£15 entry) before walking down through the Fowey Valley past the romantic ruins of Restormel Castle (English Heritage, ~£6 entry) and into the market town of Lostwithiel for lunch. In the afternoon, join the ancient pilgrim route of the Saint's Way through the village of Golant and down to the estuary town of Fowey. Take the bus or a taxi (~£20) to your new base in Charlestown (about 20 mins).

🚌First Kernow bus Padstow–Bodmin (~£5), bus/taxi to Lanhydrock (~£5), taxi Fowey–Charlestown (~£15–20)

🛏The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown, or a nearby B&B (~£75–100/night)

• →Bus from Padstow to Bodmin then Lanhydrock (~£10 total)
• →Explore Lanhydrock Gardens and House (National Trust, ~£15 non-members)
• →Walk the Fowey Valley to Restormel Castle (~15 km total)
• →Visit Restormel Castle (English Heritage, ~£6)
• →Lunch in Lostwithiel
• →Walk the Saint's Way through Golant to Fowey
• →Transfer to Charlestown by bus/taxi (~£15–20)

A shorter and thoroughly rewarding day — walk south from Charlestown along the South West Coast Path (~7 km), veering inland to visit the extraordinary Lost Gardens of Heligan, restored after 70 years of neglect. Book tickets in advance at heligan.com (~£18 adult). Re-join the path into the working fishing village of Mevagissey for a lunch of freshly caught seafood straight off the boats — try Salamander or The Harbour Lights for the best local catch. Return to Charlestown by taxi (~£12) or the 526 bus if timed right.

🚌Walking; taxi or 526 bus back to Charlestown (~£12)

🛏The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown, or a nearby B&B (~£75–100/night)

• →Walk south along South West Coast Path from Charlestown (~7 km)
• →Visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan (book at heligan.com, ~£18)
• →Walk into Mevagissey for a fresh-catch seafood lunch
• →Explore Mevagissey's working harbour and inner quay
• →Return to Charlestown by taxi (~£12) or local bus

Take the First Kernow bus from Charlestown towards Par/Polkerris (~£4) and begin walking the coast through Carlyon Bay to Gribben Head — look out for the distinctive red-and-white daymark tower. Drop down to the sheltered cove of Polridmouth, immortalised as the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. Continue to the handsome estuary town of Fowey for lunch. In the afternoon, take the tiny Fowey–Polruan passenger ferry (~£2) across the harbour and walk the quiet eastern bank of the estuary before catching the ferry back and spending your last evening in Fowey's pubs and restaurants.

🚌First Kernow bus to Polkerris (~£4); Fowey–Polruan ferry (~£2 each way); taxi or bus back to Charlestown (~£15)

🛏The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown, or a nearby B&B (~£75–100/night)

• →Bus to Polkerris (~£4) and walk the coast to Gribben Head (~16 km)
• →Visit Polridmouth Cove — Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca location
• →Lunch in Fowey
• →Fowey–Polruan passenger ferry (~£2 each way)
• →Walk the Polruan side of the Fowey Estuary
• →Evening drinks and dinner in Fowey

After breakfast, enjoy a final wander around Charlestown's stunning Georgian harbour — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Cornwall's most photogenic spots, often used as a filming location. When you're ready to head home, take the short taxi or bus ride (~£5) to St Austell station and catch a Great Western Railway train back towards London Paddington or onwards to your onward destination. If you want to extend your stay, consider a night in Falmouth or the Lizard Peninsula.

🚌Taxi or bus to St Austell (~£5); Great Western Railway St Austell to London Paddington (~£40–70)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Morning walk around Charlestown harbour (UNESCO World Heritage site)
• →Optional visit to the Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Centre (~£9)
• →Transfer to St Austell station by taxi or bus (~£5)
• →Great Western Railway train home from St Austell