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 Boscastle -
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Boscastle
Three miles north east of
Tintagel on the B3263.
A pleasant little coastal village with a sheltered harbour
quite close to
Tintagel, a conservation area with some of
the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles.
Boscastle was recently brought to national attention when on
the 16th, August 2004 a 12 feet high wall of mud and water
swept down the steep valley of the River Valency destroying
many of the historic buildings around the harbour. Who could
forget scenes of cars being swept along the main street and
into the harbour. It is now virtually returned to normal
with great improvements to the flow of the river, hopefully
it will never happen again.
Although most of the attention was around the small area
surrounding the harbour, Boscastle is a spread out village
that originally grew up and takes its name from the now
demolished ‘Bottreaux
Castle’, built in Norman times.
The picturesque little medieval harbour is totally unspoilt
and has a narrow entrance between towering cliffs, the only
natural harbour between Hartland Point and
Padstow which was originally formed by the
rivers Valency and Jordon.
The harbour’s inner jetty was built in 1584 was the port was
a hive of activity with fishing, grain and slate. The outer
breakwater dates from the 19th century, when Boscastle had
become a commercial port handling coal, timber, slate and
china clay. Because of the narrow entrance to the harbour
and the often heavy seas ships were towed in by rowing
boats, somewhat similar to ‘pilot’ boats today. There is a
blowhole in the outer harbour that when conditions are right
sends up plumes of spray, this is usually an hour before low
water with a heavy sea running.
Alongside the slipway and one of the main casualties of the
flood is the ‘Museum
of Witchcraft’. It claims to be the
largest museum of its kind in the world, and was originally
opened in 1951.
Thomas Hardy was a regular visitor to
Boscastle, the port appears as ‘Castle
Boterel’ in his early novel ‘A pair of
Blue Eyes’.
Much of the land around Boscastle is owned by the National
Trust, the cliffs providing some excellent, and sometimes
quite demanding walks. The South West Coast Path goes
through here, it has now reopened after substantial damage
during the flood.
The heart of the village consists of little old cottages
with scattered rooftops clinging to the side of the
beautiful Valencey Valley. The High Street buildings, many
of which have stone and slate porches, and large slate
flagstones. Featured in the village are craft and gift
shops, a former water mill, tea rooms, restaurants and old
Inns such as ‘The Napolean’ dating from the 16th century and
‘The Cobweb’ once a warehouse, both full of character that
can only come from age.
Boscastle Tourist Information centre,is now housed in a
former Pilchard Cellar in the centre of the village.
A mile or so up the River Valency is
St
Juliots Church, worked on by the 19th
century novelist Thomas Hardy. Boscaste or where he met his
wife Emma.
Boscastle Walking Festival:
A week of activities and events for the experienced and
those who prefer a leisurely pace. Led by local people who
know the area.
All details may be obtained either by:
E-mail: tillinghast@btinternet.com or
Tel. 01840 250397
Boat Trips and Fishing:
Enjoy a trip to Long Island, sea birds such as Razor Bills,
Guillemots and if you are very lucky Puffins can be seen and
maybe even the occasional seal.
If you have good sea legs and enjoy fishing, join motor
fishing boat ‘Peginina’ for a spot of wreck fishing 5 miles
offshore. You will certainly sleep that night.
Boscastle is a good touring base with most of Cornwall being
easily accessible, plus North Devon, with local moorlands,
woodlands and rugged cliffs.
Boscastle News:
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Boscastle Harbour
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