South of Bude

One of the most famous Cornish fishing ports. Narrow streets, pastel-washed medieval houses, bustling waterfront and renowned restaurants. The Saints’ Way; dramatic Trevose Head and lighthouse. Beaches: nearby Harbour Cove, Trevone Bay, Harlyn Bay and Mother Ivey’s Bay. Attractions: Prideaux Place - beautiful Elizabethan House set in 60 acres, Padstow Museum, National Lobster Hatchery, Camel Trail. Events: ‘Obby ‘OssDay, Carnival, and Lifeboat Day.

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Port Gaverne

Narrow shingle beach at the end of deep winding valley. Slate from Delabole was once loaded onto sailing ships here. Old pilchard cellars.

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Port Isaac

Unspoilt fishing village where white slate-hung houses run down to a sheltered harbour. Location for ‘Poldark’ and ‘Doc Martin’ TV series and films ‘Amy Foster’ and ‘Saving Grace’. Maze of alleyways, one called Squeeze-ee-belly Alley. Old pilchard cellars, shingle beach with working crabbers. Attractions: Pottery.

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Port Quin

National Trust. Small fishing community known by some as ‘the village that died’ after the entire male population disappeared in the 19th century.

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St Gennys

Quiet hamlet high on the cliff tops, breathtaking views of the coast up to Hartland Point. Tiny church with its rare altar tabernacle. Fascinating churchyard with graves of shipwrecked mariners. Beaches: Nearby Crackington Haven.

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Tintagel

With ruined but spectacular Tintagel Castle, built in the 12th & 13th century by the Earls of Cornwall. Legendary birthplace of King Arthur. Walks to St. Nectan'’s Glen and Rocky Valley. Beaches: nearby Bossiney, Trebarwith Strand. Attractions: Visitor Centre, Tintagel Castle, King Arthur's Great Halls, The Old Post Office. Events: re-enactment of Battle of Camlann.

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Trebarwith Strand

Small village with famous surfing beach, village inn and spectacular views.

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Wadebridge

Busy shopping centre. Historic centre for river, road and rail. 17-arch bridge over River Camel, purportedly built on the foundation of wool sacks and known as 'The Bridge of Wool'. Close by the A39, south of the town are Nine Maidens - a line of tall stones, supposedly petrified maidens guilty of dancing on the Sabbath. Attractions: Camel Trail & Bike Hire, Sports Centre & Pool, Pencarrow House & Gardens. Events: Royal Cornwall Show.

Boscastle

Renowned and attractive National Trust village with spectacular cliff-hung harbour entrance, small quay and walks through beautiful Valency Valley and St. Nectan's Glen. Thomas Hardy met his first wife here and based ‘A Pair of Blue Eyes’ on his experience in the district. Nearby Beeny Cliff features in the writings of both Hardy and John Betjeman. Events: Food, Arts and Crafts festival in October.

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Bossiney

Pretty, sheltered cove and village between Boscastle and Tintagel. Sir Francis Drake was elected MP here. Beaches: Bossiney beach.

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Camelford

Small, thriving town, old pocket borough. Walks to the summit of Roughtor, on Bodmin Moor. Nearby Slaughterbridge said to be the site of King Arthur’s last battle in 539 AD and is possibly the site of  825 AD Celtic defeat. Crowdy Reservoir nearby for picnics and fishing. Attractions: Sports Centre & Pool, North Cornwall Museum, British Cycling Museum, Arthurian Centre at Slaughterbridge. Events: Carnival, Agricultural Show.

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Padstow