Great British walks - Mawgan Porth and St Mawgan in Cornwall
Part of the South West Coast Path, this five-mile walk heads inland to St Mawgan, following a stream through fields and woodland before passing through the village and then returning to the coast where the magnificent cliffs tower over sandy coves.
Follow this guide to plan your walk. We've included details on how long it should take you to complete, where to park, and some places to stop for food and drink along the way - there's no rush, and you'll no doubt want to make the most of the wonderful scenery in this part of the serene Cornish coast.
We've also included a recommendation of where to stay if you're looking to book a pitch nearby and spend more time in this area.
Route Description - Mawgan Porth to St Mawgan
Picture courtesy of acceleratorhams/stock.adobe.com
From the car park at Mawgan Porth head in the direction of St Mawgan, passing the remains of a Saxon-era settlement that dates from around AD 850-1050. Two of the three homes excavated here by archaeologists in the 1950s are still visible. From here the route takes you along a bridleway through a holiday park, then through the trees and fields beyond and onto the road into St Mawgan.
In the picturesque village you can stop for a drink and food at the charming Falcon Inn, a traditional village pub with open fire, wooden beams and a pretty garden. It’s dog-friendly, too.
At the church turn right onto a steep hill that takes you past the historic convent at Lanherne. The manor was first mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, but it is thought to date back to the fifth or sixth century. It was owned by the prominent Arundell family from 1231, who lived there until the 18th century. Lord and Lady Arundell handed Lanherne over to a group of Carmelite nuns in 1794, and it’s been a convent ever since.
The present building dates from Elizabethan times and still has the original Tudor frontage. The small former chapel, now the Roman Catholic Parish Church, houses the Arundell sanctuary lamp.
Once you leave the village, the footpath will take you through fields, then across a stream and more countryside before coming out on the main road into the hamlet of Trevarrian. There’s another opportunity to stop for sustenance here, with the appropriately named Travellers Rest pub serving a good selection of beers and ciders and some hearty home-made food.
After the village, you join another riverside footpath that will eventually allow you to rejoin the main South West Coast Path. Back on the coast, Griffin’s Point is the site of an Iron Age promontory fort, a sea defence built around 2,000 years ago. Just beyond this is Beacon Cove, where, as the name would suggest, a warning beacon would be lit if enemy ships were spotted offshore.
Picture courtesy of Anthony Brown/stock.adobe.com
When the tide is out, the golden sands of Beacon Cove are accessible from the path, although it’s an extremely tricky descent and not recommended unless you are capable.
The Coast Path continues around Beacon Cove and then to Berryl’s Point, with fantastic views of the North Cornwall coastline. You then descend onto the road that leads you back into Mawgan Porth and your starting point at the car park.
Picture courtesy of Edward Nurse/stock.adobe.com
Plan your Walk
Route: Circular route starts and ends at Mawgan Porth car park
Distance: 5.4 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Terrain: Coastal, fields, forest. Some steep ascents to climb
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Available in Mawgan Port
Further Information
Must See
Look out for the Tudor home of the Arundell family, whose former chapel is famous for its sanctuary lamp, that has not been extinguished since before the Reformation.
Food and drink
The Falcon Inn, St Mawgan
thefalconinnstmawgan.co.uk
Travellers Rest Trevarrian
travellersrestcornwall.co.uk
The Merrymoor Inn, Mawgan Porth
merrymoorinn.com
Where to Stay
Hendra Holiday Park
Boasting both a Gold five star and a Platinum 5 Pennant rating, Hendra Holiday Park occupies an ideal location, minutes from miles of golden sand beaches, and has a fantastic array of superb family facilities. Choose from 14 spacious fields for touring, camping and motorhomes, equipped with award-winning facilities in 80 acres of landscaped parkland.
General Information
Ideal for families, full-facility park
Location
Newquay TR8 4NY
Open 29 March – 4 November
Price from £21.65 per pitch for two adults plus electric
Eat & Drink
Restaurants, cafes, pizzeria and traditional fish and chip shop and a supermarket
Facilities
Indoor pool complex
Free family entertainment daytime and evening
Oasis indoor and outdoor fun pools complex
Parking by pitches
Showers
Shop
Dogs accepted
WIFI available
Fishing
Motorcaravans, caravans and tents accepted
For more information
01637 875778
If you have a love of the great outdoors and love exploring the beautiful countryside of the UK - and beyond - we have a magazine for you. Our range of outdoor leisure magazines include this selection. There are helpful links to the digital issues of each magazine so you can read more about the content:
MMM - Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine
Park and Holiday Home Inspiration magazine
Also, check out our Campsite Finder guide, which has over 200 pages of campsite listings in the UK and Europe.
Finished reading?
Want more great tent information? Our "Hillwalking, hiking and trekking: the camping guide" is full of great information and camping advice.
Expert Camping advice to your door!
Camping magazine has been the voice of campers for over 60 years!
Camping is the UK's only magazine devoted to the wonderful world of life under canvas and the freedom it brings. Every issue is packed with inspirational travel, the top camping sites to stay on, reviews of the latest tents, camping gear reviews, practical help and much more to help you get the most out of your camping adventures.
Want to know more about Camping Magazine?
About Camping Magazine
Recent Updates
Campsites in the Lake District: our pick of the best
This National Park is one of the most iconic locations in the UK for outdoor adventures, which makes camping in the Lake District an absolute must - ...
Campsites in Kent: our pick of the best
This is our guide to the best attractions and top campsites in the Garden of England, from the iconic cliffs ...
Camping guide to trailers
Trailer stash or trailer trash? Being able to carry lots of other gear when you go camping isn’t such a bad ...
Campsites in Cornwall: our pick of the best
Our selection of the best campsites for exploring one of England's most popular counties ...
Campsites in Devon: our pick of the best
The best campsites for discovering this popular southwest county ...
Coastal campsites: our pick of the best in Britain
Enjoy being beside the seaside with our choice of the best coastal campsites in England, Scotland and Wales ...
Best family campsites in the UK
Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday ...
Campsites in Wales: our pick of the best
Our selection of the best campsites for exploring wonderful Wales ...
Top campsites near cities for weekend breaks
For a multitude of things to see and do all year round, head for the city with our top campsites for city ...
Campsites open all year: our pick of the best
Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of campsites that are open all year ...
Other Articles
Campsites in Scotland: our pick of the best
Our choice of the top campsites to enjoy a touring adventure in Scotland, from the Highlands to the wild Scottish coast ...
Yorkshire campsites: our pick of the best
Perfect for exploring Yorkshire, check out these high-quality campsites ...
Campsites in Dorset: our pick of the best
From the stunning coastlines to beautiful countryside, Dorset is perfect for a camping holiday ...
Dog-friendly campsites: our pick of the best
The best campsites for a holiday with your four-legged friend ...
Theme park campsites: our pick of the best
If your idea of a top family holiday is strapping yourself in for thrills and spills on some of the best UK ...
Adults-only campsites: our pick of the best
For a grown-ups-only holiday, check out our recommended sites just for adults ...
Location guide: heavenly Hampshire
Hampshire – a glimpse of a wonderful combination of coast, countryside and city. This attraction-rich region ...
Fishery Creek Touring Park: campsite review
A campsite review of Fishery Creek Touring Park, Hampshire ...
Camping with dogs
Camping is for the whole family – including the four-legged members. Follow our tips for trouble-free camping ...
Location guide: Cornwall attractions
What to see and do in Cornwall ...