- Fantastic combination of scenic walking and visits
- Beaches, estuaries, picturesque seaside towns and villages, castles, gardens and points of interest
- Padstow, Charlestown, Lanhydrock, Fowey, Mevagissey
Walking in Cornwall
7 Days
Excluding Flights From
0 Days
from
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Comfort Level
Classic
Itinerary
Padstow Charlestown
Start Padstow
Our adventure begins in Padstow, a working harbour town in north Cornwall that’s seen a popularity surge among walkers and foodies in recent years. Settle into the hotel and join the welcome briefing, in which your leader will go over the adventures ahead and answer any questions you might have.
Accommodation: Old Custom House (or similar)
Camel Estuary, Rock, beautiful beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay
We set out from Padstow by catching the foot ferry across the Camel Estuary to the small seaside village of Rock. Our route takes us slightly inland to the idyllic beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay and then up to Pentire Head. After lunch, we walk past St Enodoc Church and along the dunes, returning to Padstow by foot ferry in the late afternoon. Dinner offers a chance to try chef Rick Stein’s much-acclaimed fish and chips – though you may want to visit one of the many other restaurants here – before returning to our townhouse hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Old Custom House (or similar)
North Cornish coast
Heading out of town from the hotel and along the coastal path, our route follows the cliffs at Stepper Point, past the observatory with panoramic views of ocean, town and estuary. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, the fastest birds in the world, known to fly and nest in this area, as you traverse the coast and beaches towards lunch in Trevone or Harlyn Bay or even Constantine Bay depending on our progress. Catching the bus back across the headland in the afternoon provides a leisurely end to the day.
Fowey Estuary, Restormel Castle, Saint's Way
We transfer to Lanhydrock Gardens to start walking down the Fowey Estuary. From the gardens, which are well worth an explore, we walk towards the coast passing the picture-perfect Restormel Castle and onto the lovely town of Lostwithiel for lunch. In the afternoon, we join the Saint’s Way through the lovely village of Golant and onto Fowey and the south Cornish coast. At the end of the walk, we transfer to our new hotel in Charlestown.
South West Coastal Path to Mevagissey
In the morning, we walk directly from our hotel southwards along the South West Coast Path towards the wonderful town of Mevagissey. On the way, we veer from the path to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan (revived in 1991 after 70 years of neglect and restored to former glory – see ‘Money’ section for entrance fee) and then into Mevagissey for a lunch of seafood caught that morning.
Carlyon Bay, Polkerris beach and Fowey
After breakfast, we jump on a public bus, which will drop us just above the village and beach at Polkerris. We begin walking along the coast towards Gribben Head, before dropping down to Polridmouth Cove, where Daphne Du Maurier based her 1938 gothic novel, Rebecca. Arriving in Fowey, we stop for lunch and in the afternoon there is the opportunity to cross the harbour by ferry into Polruan and walk the other side of the estuary. Afterwards, we catch another ferry back into Fowey and enjoy our last night together.
End Charlestown
Our exploration of Cornwall ends in Charlestown. You can make your way home, but if you’d like to explore Cornwall a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Essential Info
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Padstow in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Guests can arrive by car directly to the hotel or by train into Bodmin Parkway Rail Station, which is approximately four to five hours from London Paddington. If arriving by car, there is a long-stay car park a short walk from the Custom House hotel. Please ask for further details.
If arriving at Bodmin Parkway, the simplest option is a taxi to the hotel, approximately a 35-minute journey. Public buses are available, taking around an hour to Padstow from the train station.
The group will be transferred between hotels on Day 4 and returned to pick up cars as required at the end of the trip.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Padstow
Location end: Charlestown
Old Custom House, Padstow, and The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown
On this walking adventure in Cornwall, our time is split between two traditional seaside towns: Padstow and Charlestown.
Padstow: Old Custom House (nights 1-3)
Enjoy a quayside spot in the bustling fishing port of Padstow. The town itself is a foodie hotspot, largely thanks to the success of local TV chef Rick Stein, though there are also traditional tearooms, cafes and pubs to try. Our 23-room boutique hotel overlooks the working harbour, ideally placed for exploring. It’s also a gastro pub, serving contemporary pub classics and award-winning beers.
Charlestown: The Rashleigh Arms (nights 4-6)
The Rashleigh offers 18 nautically themed rooms by Charlestown harbour, the last 18th-century Georgian harbour and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The accommodation and in-house pub-restaurant are both award winners, the latter offering drinks from the nearby St Austell Brewery and classic-contemporary pub food.
Reviews
Add your own reviewWonderful Cornwall
A very enjoyable 6 days walking. I’ve only marked it as very good as I had rooms that looked over roof tops and air conditioning units in both hotels. Some others in the group had harbour views and very big rooms. Be aware that the Old Custom House in Padstow has stairs up and down all over the place. Quite an adventure finding your room!
Most Inspirational Moment
The north coast is stunning and the visit to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had Gaby and Tatty as our guides. They are exceptional young women, multi-talented, organised, caring and fun. They always had a supply of snacks and wine gums ready when required! They made this trip very special.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you pre-book a taxi if you are going by train to Bodmin Parkway. There were only a couple of taxis there and they were both pre-booked. One cabby tried phoning for me but couldn't get anyone. The bus was supposed to arrive in 3 minutes and 35 minutes later we were still waiting for it. Luckily then a taxi did arrive that took me and two others to Padstow.
Wonderous Cornwall
I’d forgotten just how beautiful Cornwall is. Turqouise seas, dramatic cliffs and wonderful beaches.
The prefect tonic for a tough year for us all. The usual mix of interesting and friendly fellow walkers.
A wonderous week, well orchestrated by two great guides. They even secured a week of sunshine.
You couldn’t ask for more. Thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to rediscover the charms and beauty of the Cornish coast in the company of a great bunch of like-minded individuals.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking along the coast line on days one and two..
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had 2 and they were both excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Rediscover Cornwall on an Exodus tour as quick as you can !
A great week walking in stunning Cornwall
Based in two centres, starting in Padstow then spending the second half of the week in Charlestown on the South coast. Our tour leader, Will, and his colleague Gaby, were prepared to go to any lengths to make sure we were fully supported. The walking required a decent level of fitness, the rating of 3 (moderate) is an accurate assessment, and my phone recorded 51 miles during the five days of walks (and 137,700 steps!).
The hotels were both good, although don’t expect a sea view, and Will was always able to find us somewhere to eat despite COVID meaning there were a lot more tourists there than usual, and staffing was challenging for many of the restaurants.
The scenery is really lovely, both on the coast and inland, and lots of photos were taken and shared.
Most Inspirational Moment
The first two days were along the most beautiful coastline with secret beaches and spectacular rock formations. I also loved visiting the Lost Gardens of Heligan, something I've wanted to do for a long time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He worked extremely hard, could take a joke even at the end of a long day, and kept us all informed and safe. Can't fault him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get fit. If you can't manage 10 miles a day, with at least 25% being uphill, you are on the wrong trip and will always be a long way behind the rest of the group. Come properly equipped with waterproof trousers, well walked in boots/shoes, a good rucksack, etc. Don't expect a sea view from your room. My first room I looked out to an a/c unit, and the second room I was below ground level so could only see the tyres of parked cars.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Sunday
07 Sep 2025 07 Sep 2025
Saturday Saturday
13 Sep 2025 13 Sep 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 1649Now £ 1349Saving £ 300 Usually £ 1649Now £ 1349Saving £ 300
Optional Single Supplement +£ 630
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
21 Jun 2026 21 Jun 2026
Saturday Saturday
27 Jun 2026 27 Jun 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 1749 £ 1749 Book with £ 437 deposit Book with £ 437 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 700
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
20 Sep 2026 20 Sep 2026
Saturday Saturday
26 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price £ 1749 £ 1749 Book with £ 437 deposit Book with £ 437 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 700
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip Notes
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Walking in Cornwall
7 Days
Excluding Flights From
0 Days
from