About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: north Cornwall
- Size: > 10ha
- High point:
- Map: OS Explorer 106 Newquay and Padstow
Bedruthen Steps in Cornwall offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Britain. A series of dramatic sea stacks between Newquay and Padstow. At low tide, a huge expanse of flat golden sand is revealed, allowing a visit to the base of each of the islands and their surrounding crystal-clear rockpools, as well as exploring the cliff caves along this spectacular stretch of coastline. At high tide it becomes a seething mass of Atlantic waves pounding the rugged cliffs.
The name Bedruthan Steps is taken from the legend of a Cornish giant, Bedruthan, who used the rocks on the beach as stepping stones. This tale was a Victorian ploy to encourage more visitors at the time. Each of the stacks is named. From north to south they are Diggory’s Island, Queen Bess Rock, Samaritan Island, Bedruthan Steps, Redcove Island, Pendarves Island, and Carnewas Island. Queen Bess Rock was so named as it was thought to resemble the outline of Queen Elizabeth I, although the head was lost after a storm in 1981; Samaritan Island is named after a ship, the Good Samaritan, which was wrecked here in October 1846; and Carnewas Island was named after the local iron mine. Bedruthan Steps is an accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site; the Milky Way can be readily discerned either from the beach or cliff tops.
Look out for
- Bathing in sun-warmed tidal pools
- Walking along Bedruthan Steps Beach
- Cream teas at Bedruthan Steps café
- Amazing star gazing on a clear night
- Camping at Bedruthan Steps
- Bedruthan Steps sunsets
How to get to Bedruthan Steps
Head north from Newquay towards Padstow on the B3276 to find the National Trust turning at Carnewas and car park on the left. Bedruthan Steps Beach can be reached along a stunning section of the South West coast path. From Bedruthan Steps car park head to the coast path, turn right, and continue north along the rugged path above Bedruthen Steps. After 1km (at roughly Grid ref. SW 849 049) take the steep track, and easy scramble downhill towards the north the beach known as Pentire Steps at the north end of Bedruthan Steps.
The no. 56 Bus between Padstow and Newquay stops regularly at Bedruthan House Hotel, a short walk away from the walks Bedruthan Steps. https://www.gocornwallbus.co.uk/services/TFCN/56
Note: at the time of writing the steep cliff staircase, once used by silver, copper and iron miners in the late 1800s, off the South West Coast Path close to the National Trust car park, cafe and shop, were closed after rock falls in 2019.
See walk for further details.
Parking for Bedruthan Steps
Bedruthen Steps carpark at Carnewas is a National Trust car park free to members, but charges apply to non-member.
Bedruthan Steps Cafe
The Carnewas Tearoom next to the car park is excellent for lunches, hot drinks, good homemade cakes and cream teas. Check opening times http://carnewas-tea-rooms.co.uk
Camping at Bedruthan Steps
Off-grid camping with sea views from July to September in a field close to the national Trust car park https://www.bedruthansteps.com with sauna, pop up food wagon and tipis to rent.
What to do at Bedruthen Steps
Walking around Bedruthen Steps
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Cornwall (north coast)
- Terrain: Coast path; tidal beach and easy scramble (optional)
- Access: South West Coast Path; optional walk on Bedruthan Steps beach on an outgoing tide
- Height gain: 317 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 106 Newquay and Padstow
- Starting point: National Trust Carnewas Car Park (GR SW 849 689)
Bedruthan Steps circular walk summary
The circular walk along the South West Coast Path around Bedruthen Steps, is one of the most spectacular coastal walks in Britain. It starts at the National Trust Carnewas car park and tearooms and heads along the coast path to reach the scramble down to Pentire Steps for a walk along Bedruthan Steps beach (optional). Once on the beach, at low tide (preferably an outgoing tide), it is a straightforward walk exploring the impressive sea stacks.
Once back on the top of the cliffs the coast path continues to a footbridge* at Porth Mear (Grid ref. SW 849 714), where the return route turns south and tracks west of the stream to reach Pentire Farm and the National Trust’s Park Head car park. From here a path leads back to the cliffs, where the South West Coast Path returns to Carnewas.
*The route can be extended north to swim in the beautiful lagoon between the Trescore Islands and mainland, west of Porthcothen. Cross the footbridge and continue along the coast path until you are about level with the south of the islands. Here you’ll find routes down the cliffs to enter the water.
Look out for:
-
- Spectacular sea stacks
- Bathing in sun-warmed pools
- Swimming in the beautiful lagoon of Trescore Islands
- Cream teas at Carnewas Tearooms
- Wildlife-filled rock pools at Porth Mear
