Make your way to Padstow. Take the train to Bodmin Parkway followed by the regular bus service, or fly into Newquay and continue by bus or taxi. One of Cornwall's most popular harbour towns, Padstow is renowned for its bustling waterfront, picturesque streets and outstanding food scene. Seafood lovers are spoilt for choice with celebrated restaurants including Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein's Café, Paul Ainsworth at No.6 and Prawn on the Lawn. If you arrive early, consider hiring a bike to explore the scenic Camel Trail, a largely traffic-free route following a former railway line to Wadebridge (9.25 km / 5.75 miles each way). You can stop for lunch or coffee before returning to Padstow, or continue a further 9.25 km / 5.75 miles to the historic town of Bodmin, home to Bodmin Jail and the beautiful National Trust estate of Lanhydrock. If you'd like to dine at one of Padstow's most sought-after restaurants, we recommend reserving a table well in advance. Accommodation: Two nights at a traditional inn or B&B in Padstow.

Meals:  Nil

Pack your swimwear today as there are plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip. Before setting off, pick up a traditional Cornish pasty in Padstow for a perfect picnic lunch. Following the Camel Estuary, the coast path passes Harbour Cove Beach and Hawker's Cove before reaching views of the infamous Doom Bar, the shifting sandbank that has challenged mariners for centuries and is visible from the cliffs at low and mid tide. Continue along a glorious stretch of coastline to Trevone Bay, a Blue Flag and Seaside Award-winning beach recognised for its excellent water quality, environmental standards and visitor safety. Enjoy a break here and, if conditions are suitable, take a swim before continuing to the broad sands of Harlyn Bay. One of the most sheltered beaches on the Cornish coast, Harlyn is an ideal place for another swim or a relaxing stop at the beachfront café. When you're ready, catch the hourly local bus back to Padstow. Accommodation: A second night in Padstow.

Meals:  B

Take the morning bus from Padstow to Mawgan Porth (approx 45 minutes), then stroll down to the beach to join the South West Coast Path. Today's walk follows one of Cornwall's most spectacular stretches of coastline, with dramatic clifftop scenery, secluded coves and sweeping sandy beaches. Make the short detour to Trevelgue Head, where a pair of impressive blowholes send seawater high into the air when the tide and sea conditions are right. As you approach Newquay, and depending on the tide, you can also wander across a string of beautiful sandy beaches including Lusty Glaze, Tolcarne, Great Western and Towan Beach before emerging in the lively town centre. After lunch or a snack, continue to Fistral Beach, Cornwall's most famous surfing beach. On a fine evening it's a wonderful place to watch the sunset. For dinner, consider booking a table at The Fish House, where the menu showcases locally landed fish and shellfish from Newquay Harbour alongside the best seasonal Cornish produce. Newquay offers a livelier atmosphere than Padstow, with a thriving surf culture and an excellent choice of cafés, pubs and restaurants. Accommodation: A traditional inn or small hotel in Newquay.

Meals:  B

A morning taxi transfer (included, 40 mins) takes you to St Erth, where you'll board the train to St Ives. Often described as one of the UK's most scenic rail journeys, the line hugs the coastline with spectacular views across St Ives Bay. For the best scenery, sit on the right-hand side. On arrival, spend the day exploring one of Cornwall's most charming seaside towns. Follow a leisurely self-guided walk around the picturesque harbour, winding through narrow cobbled streets that reveal St Ives' rich maritime heritage and the artistic legacy that has made it one of Britain's best-known creative centres since the late nineteenth century. Along the way you'll pass the town's five sandy beaches and the northern headland with St Nicholas' Chapel, while just off route are the renowned Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, along with numerous independent galleries, artists' studios and craft shops. Our planned town trail walk takes around 1½ hours but can easily be shortened or adapted to suit your interests. Alternatively, enjoy a walk to the beautiful sandy beach at Carbis Bay (2.6 km / 1.6 miles), returning to St Ives on foot or by the scenic coastal train. Accommodation: we use a variety of B&Bs and hotels for your two nights in St. Ives.

Meals:  B

Today you can choose between two very different walks to the picturesque village of Zennor before returning to St Ives by bus. Gentler Inland Route – 8.08 km (5 miles), approx. 2.5 hours The easier option follows quiet farm tracks and ancient field paths across the moorland. These historic routes date back to the Bronze Age, when they linked settlements across the open high ground long before the peninsula was cleared of woodland. They later became important transport routes during Cornwall's 18th- and 19th-century mining boom, carrying supplies and ore between communities. Although there are few facilities along the way, you may find a café open before reaching Zennor. The village is well worth exploring, with its medieval church, small museum celebrating Cornish life, the historic Tinner's Arms and the famous legend of the Mermaid of Zennor. South West Coast Path – 11.9 km (7.4 miles), approx. 4¾ hours For a more challenging finale, follow the spectacular South West Coast Path to Zennor. This classic stretch of coastline is rugged and undulating, with numerous steep ascents and descents over rocky, occasionally boggy terrain. Although the distance is relatively short, it is the most demanding walk of the trip. Leaving St Ives, pass St Nicholas' Chapel, once a landmark for local seafarers, and the old lookout hut where pilchard shoals were spotted from the cliffs. As the crowds disappear, the path winds dramatically around secluded coves and rocky headlands. Look out for seals basking on the Carracks before tackling the final climb and short inland section into the charming village of Zennor. After exploring the village, return to St Ives by regular bus.

Meals:  B

Arrangements end after breakfast. Take the train from St Ives to St Erth to join national rail network.... remember to sit on the left this time! Onward travel connections are available to Bristol, London and beyond.

Meals:  B