A Walk Down the Rocky Valley

One of our favourite spots for a gentle walk is the Rocky Valley between Boscastle and Tintagel, less than half an hour’s drive from Bude. Like many places that are not within direct access of a car park, it is something of a ‘secret spot’.

A small lay-by after a tight bend about two and a half miles from Boscastle provides parking for half a dozen cars and from there you cross the road and follow the footpath signs down in to the valley. It’s only a ten minute short walk down to the sea but beware the path can be very slippery when wet and is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs!

Trewethett Mill, an old cloth mill – and Finlay – the poser!

The path passes the old Trewethett Mill where there are the ruins of the old buildings and also some curious labyrinth carvings in the rocks. A plaque nearby proclaims them to be ‘Labyrinth carvings probably of the Early Bronze Age (1800-1400 BC)’ although there is a school of thought that thinks they are more likely to be from a much later period. The old mill drew its power from the stream and produced cloth and yarn up until 1861.

One of the Trewethett Labyrinths. Bronze Age or not: you decide!

Once down at the coast, the stream tumbles over a series of photogenic falls just before it reaches the sea. Take extreme care around here because when wet, the smooth slate rocks are as slippery as ice!

The Rocky Valley falls.

It’s worth taking the brief but strenuous climb to the south of the river that takes you up and out onto the coast path. It gives stunning views of the coast; north along the rocky headlands and sea stack, and south to the bays and low-tide beaches of Benoath Cove and Bossiney Haven.