Boscastle

With a medieval past and a picturesque natural harbour, Boscastle is bursting with rugged beauty and typical Cornish charm. Known to have inspired the work of many authors and artists, this quaint fishing village is steeped in romantic history.

Keen walkers can discover the spectacular landscape and coastline, both rich with historic features and fascinating wildlife. There are also a number of churches dating back to Norman times which offer a peaceful place for quiet contemplation and exploration. Fans of famous novelist Thomas Hardy can visit St. Juliot’s Church and the Old Rectory, where Hardy once worked as an architect and met his sweetheart Emma, a courtship said to have inspired his third novel ‘A Pair of Blue Eyes’.

Boscastle is also home to a number of art galleries and potteries, such as The Old Forge Pottery and The Picture Parlour, as well as the Boscastle Artists’ Cooperative, a not-for-profit gallery which showcases work from artists based within just a 16-mile radius of the area.

In addition to its dramatic harbour and unique architecture, Boscastle is perhaps most well known for the Museum of Witchcraft, a visitor attraction dedicated to exploring European witchcraft and magic with a special focus on the 19th Century, which is when it is believed that Cornwall was home to some of the most notorious and famous ‘White Witches’.

Visitors can also purchase a variety of walking trail leaflets at Boscastle’s National Trust Visitor Centre, which also offers an extensive gift shop and tea rooms for light refreshments.