Boscastle

Travel Guide

Boscastle featuring a river or creek, a bridge and a coastal town
Boscastle showing rocky coastline and general coastal views
Boscastle showing a house, a river or creek and a coastal town
Boscastle featuring boating and rugged coastline
Boscastle featuring a house, a coastal town and a river or creek

Marvel at the picturesque terrain around the sheltered inlet harbour and learn about witchcraft, a vanished castle and devastating floods.

Boscastle is a scenic village with undulating grassy hills overlooking an active harbor. Although it once played a key role in importing limestone and coal, this old port town is now a sleepy commune with scenic walking paths. Embark on a hike around part of the South West Coast Path, a long-distance trail that extends for 630 miles (1,014 kilometers) from Somerset, through Devon and Cornwall, all the way to Dorset.

The town’s name is synonymous with the devastating flash floods of 2004, which destroyed much of its infrastructure and trapped residents on roofs. Chat to locals to hear first-hand accounts of how cars and buildings were swept away in the disaster.

Stroll through the natural harbor, which is set at the confluence of three rivers and the sea, and soak up the pleasant scenery. Follow nature trails that lead through wooded areas and along the meandering Valency River. Nearby, the Lookout vantage point offers excellent views of the craggy headlands.

Among the most fascinating sites in town is the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, which recounts the history of spells and curses across Europe. Peruse strange objects such as poppets and pricking tools and learn about Freemasonry, Wicca and other types of folk magic.

Wander through town to encounter quaint buildings such as a bakery, souvenir shops, pottery galleries and whitewashed cottages. Also in town is the former site of the old Botreaux Castle, from which the settlement takes its name. Only scant ruins of the hilltop castle remain.

The town is on the northern coast of Cornwall, 32 miles (51 kilometers) north of Newquay. Buses connect the village to other parts of the region, including the towns of Bude and Tintagel. Summers are warm and winters are mild and stormy here, though rain is common throughout the year.

Boscastle has stunning natural surrounds, an unusual museum and a harbor that is among the most scenic in Cornwall.

Wellington Hotel
Wellington Hotel
3 out of 5
The Harbour, Boscastle, England
The price is S$228 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$228
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Boscastle. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (197 reviews)
"Excellent location in a very pretty town: enjoyed our stay!"

Reviewed on 26 Jun, 2025

Wellington Hotel
YHA Boscastle - Hostel
YHA Boscastle - Hostel
4 out of 5
Palace Stables, Boscastle, England
The price is S$105 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$105
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hostel in Boscastle. Enjoy a garden and housekeeping. Popular attractions Tintagel Castle and Museum of Witchcraft are located nearby.
"Great for walking the SW Costal path…."

Reviewed on 24 Apr, 2025

YHA Boscastle - Hostel
Bodmin Jail Hotel
Bodmin Jail Hotel
4 out of 5
Scarlett’s Well Road, Bodmin, England
The price is S$356 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
S$356
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bodmin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the bathrooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (316 reviews)
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Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Bodmin Jail Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bay Retreat Villas
Bay Retreat Villas
4 out of 5
St Merryn Park, St Merryn, Padstow, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Padstow. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Watergate Bay Beach and Padstow Maize Maze are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (67 reviews)
"Fabulous dog friendly accommodation. Clean with easy access to the 5 beaches in north Cornwall. On site dining which is dog friendly. Secure garden which is grassed with a bench and seats. Ideal location."

Reviewed on 17 Jun, 2025

Bay Retreat Villas
Frankaborough Farm Holiday Cottages
Frankaborough Farm Holiday Cottages
3.5 out of 5
Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, England
Book a stay at this spa property in Lifton. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Roadford Reservoir and Dingles ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"Loved the accommodation,location and the owners were fantastic. Well worth staying here."

Reviewed on 5 Jun, 2025

Frankaborough Farm Holiday Cottages
Atlantic Surf Pods - Campsite
Atlantic Surf Pods - Campsite
2 out of 5
Atlantic Highway, Bude, England
Stay at this campground in Bude. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Harlequinns Leisure and South West Coast Path Section 10 Trailhead ...
"lovely place for getaway, quite and safe"

Reviewed on 4 Sep, 2023

Atlantic Surf Pods - Campsite
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Boscastle

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The walk along the coast path is fantastic - takes around 2.5 hours so carry plenty of water and a snack!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice village with lovely views if you walk out to the coastal path.