Boscastle

Home  Accommodation  Attractions  Beaches  Images  Directory  Events  Services

Boscastle Business Page        Boscastle Area Notice board

The Boscastle page is sponsored by Raymond Taylor Hayes     Accountant and Auditor   01840 250015

Altarnun
Blisland
Bodmin
Booby's Bay
Boscastle
Bossiney
Bude
Camelford
Coads Green
Crackington Haven
Constantine Bay
Daymer Bay
Delabole
Egloskerry
Five Lanes
Harlyn Bay
Kilkhampton
Lanivet
Launceston
Lewannick
Marhamchurch
Nanstallon
North Hill
Padstow
Petherwin Gate
Polzeath
Port Isaac
Porthcothan Bay
Port Quin
Poughill
Poundstock
Rock
South Petherwin
St Breward
St Endellion
St Issey
St Juliot
St Kew
St Kew Highway
St Mabyn
St Merryn/Shop
Stoke Climsland
Stratton
St Teath
St Tudy
Tintagel
Trebarwith Strand
Trebetherick
Tredizzick
Tregadillet
Treknow
Trevone
Treyarnon
Venterdon
Wadebridge
Warbstow Cross
Week St Mary
Whitstone
Widemouth Bay

Churches in North Cornwall

Boscastle is well worth a visit. It consists of a small well defended harbour that is of ancient construction (apparently being rebuilt in 1584) that leads inland to the Valency valley. Along the valley there are many houses and gift shops as well as a fine bakery and pottery. The village is well supplied by the local grocer and there are many fine places to eat drink and make merry. If you walk down the harbour on the quayside and follow the footpath up and around to the left you will eventually come to the Lookout. It is well worth the effort (on a clear day) because the location of this vantage point gives unrivalled views of some of the most rugged coastline in England.

Boscastle Harbour at Low Tide

Boscastle Harbour is almost invisible from the sea, and affords the sailors a sheltered refuge for them and there craft, so long has they are able to negotiate the "S" shaped entrance that cuts through the headland to give way to a natural harbour. You can also see Meachard, a small islet adjacent to the harbour entrance.

An aerial view of Boscastle Harbour 

 At the top of the village, in the Camelford direction, Bottreaux Castle can be found.  At the top of the valley lies Minster church ( St Merthiana). Minster is beautifully situated in a wooded coombe that is almost encircled by a small lane and completely surrounded by trees. There is a lovely woodland walk that wends down towards Boscastle from here.

An aerial view of Boscastle towards Tintagel

A view south towards the lookout            and a view north towards Bude

 Forrabury church (St Symphorian) on the other hand, stands proud to the elements out on the headland. The Rev R. S. Hawker wrote a marvellous little ditty on "The Bells of Forrabury." The tower is minus a peal, and the poem, founded on local legend, tells of how a ship carrying some bells for this church, was wrecked. They were almost in port and the pilot uttered a pious "Thank God" for a safe voyage. The Captain immediately cried "Thank God on Land; but at sea thank the Captain and the good vessel." A vengeful storm duly arose and ship, captain, crew and the bells were lost to the sea. The pilot however did miraculously survive.

"Still when the storm of Bottreaux's  waves, is wakening in the weedy caves,

Those bells that sullen surges hide, peal their deep notes beneath the tide."

St Juliot is situated between the Valency Valley and Lesnewth Valley.

Boscastle suffered severe flood damage but the majority of work on rebuilding has been completed. The Pixie House has been re-instated and the remaining regeneration will be completed soon.

Looking for accommodation at Boscastle in North Cornwall

CLICK HERE