02 – Pentire Point to Widemouth

02 – Pentire Point to Widemouth

The key landscape characteristic of this section of Cornwall National Landscape is the coastline, which throughout this section is craggy with dramatic contorted cliffs and folded slates, shales and volcanic rocks with some sandstone to the north. There are also some interesting coastal features such as rocky stacks, arches, headlands, caves and blowholes interspersed with rocky coves and a few sandy beaches, such as at Trebarwith Strand and Crackington Haven. ‘High Cliff’ near Tresparrett, at 223m, is the highest sheer drop cliff in Cornwall and is formed from carboniferous sandstones and shales; the cliff line then gradually reduces in height to approximately 70-80m at Pentire Point.

Character areas

02 Pentire Point to Widemouth

  • Character areas

    CA34: Camel Estuary
    CA37: Western Culm Plateau
    CA38: Bude Basin
    CA35: Kellan Head to Millook Haven Coast
    CA36: Delabole Plateau
  • Areas covering the coast

    MC 44: Hartland Point to Port Isaac Bay
    MCA 45: Port Gaverne Bay to St Ives Bay

Special Qualities of Pentire Point to Widemouth

The Key Landscape Characteristic of this section of the AONB is the coastline, which throughout this section is craggy with dramatic contorted cliffs and folded slates, shales and volcanic rocks with some sandstone to the north.
There are also some interesting coastal features such as rocky stacks, arches, headlands, caves and blowholes interspersed with rocky coves and a few sandy beaches, such as at Trebarwith Strand and Crackington Haven. ‘High Cliff’ near Tresparrett, at 223m, is the highest sheer drop cliff in Cornwall and is formed from carboniferous sandstones and shales; the cliff line then gradually reduces in height to approximately 70-80m at Pentire Point.

Widemouth Bay Susie Cook
Widemouth Bay Susie Cook

Behind the coastline, the undulating coastal plateau is incised with steep sided secluded valleys and streams that flow down to sea level such as at Boscastle, Crackington Haven and Millook. The valleys extend well inland, creating a secluded landscape with small farming hamlets. The microclimate of the sheltered valleys is in sharp contrast to the open farmland exposed to the strong sea winds on the coastal plateau where there is limited tree growth.

There has been considerable development over the years on the more elevated land higher up the valley, in spite of the Boscastle flood in 2004 when an estimated two million tonnes of floodwater flowed down the River Valency. The storm also affected Rocky Valley and Crackington Haven.

Slate is the characteristic local building and hedging material, varying from the mid hues of Delabole slate to the darker shades sourced at Trebarwith. The local slate industry led to the expansion of some villages such as Treknow and Trewarmett and the numerous small-scale disused historic slate quarries are now a feature of the coastal landscape, although slate quarrying operations continue within and close to the AONB at a small number of sites.

Land Use

Land use is mainly agricultural grazing in small to medium sized fields of medieval origin although modern farming practice has resulted in some larger fields being created as can be seen on land behind Port Quin. Inland is mainly limited to arable and pasture with coastal heathland dominating the cliffs.

South and west of Trebarwith the AONB landscape narrows and consists of steep seaward sloping cliffs dissected by short streams, which form ‘V’ shaped valleys. There are not many settlements, other than a few scattered farm holdings, with the exception of Port Isaac and Port Gaverne in the west which are popular visitor destinations as is the small coastal settlement at Trebarwith, connected with the old harbour cove of Port William.

Significant Landowners

  • The National Trust manages significant stretches of the coast from Pentire Head to Port Quin and the Rocky Valley in the west and from Crackington Haven to Dizzard in the east.
  • Historic England manages Tintagel Castle as a tourism destination.
  • Active quarrying operations are controlled under the Review of Mineral Planning Permissions

Key species of interest for this section;

  • Puffin
  • Guillemot
  • Razorbill
  • Greater Horseshoe Bat
  • Chough
  • Corn Bunting

Biodiversity & Geodiversity

  • There is a noticeable lack of tree cover due to exposure to coastal winds in this section.
  • Coastal heathland is a significant component of this area with rough and scrubby land leading inwards from the coast.
  • The sheltered and relatively inaccessible coves of this section are particularly important safe habitat for Cornwall’s globally significant population of grey seals.
  • Some steep valley sides typically have less intensive management and support a range of developing woodland, scrub or rough ground habitats.

Culture & Heritage

The most notable historic feature along this section can be found at Tintagel. Here the coastline is rugged, consisting of Devonian slate and volcanic rocks of the carboniferous Tintagel group, which are folded and faulted, forming stacks and small islands. Tintagel Island, with its rounded headland connected by a narrow isthmus to the main coastline, contains the famous ruins of the 12th century Tintagel Castle. The Castle is linked to the legend of King Arthur and provides a very popular global tourism destination.

This section of the AONB contains some important historical features, such as the unaltered and still farmed medieval open field ‘stitchmeal’ system of Forrabury Stiches near Boscastle. As a settlement, Boscastle is divided into two sections, the old medieval village which evolved around Bottreaux Castle higher up the valley and the small 19th century sheltered port on the valley floor which was of strategic importance as the only sheltered harbour between Bude and Padstow.

Towards the extreme west of the section are the remains of an Iron Age cliff castle. This Section is famous for Thomas Hardy and the Doc Martin series which brings significant economic benefit.

Cornish Hedge

The generally treeless and sparsely vegetated Cornish hedges are often built with tightly packed alternating diagonal slate courses, locally called ‘curzy way’. There are remarkable survivals of Medieval open field strip farming some of which are still in active management, as at Forrabury, whilst others are preserved within later field patterns.

Partnerships & Neighbourhood Plan
Partnerships & Neighbourhood Plan

Partnerships & Neighbourhood Plan

  • St Kew have a Parish Plan
  • St Endellion Neighbourhood Development Plan
  • St Gennys have been designated for a Neighbourhood Development Plan
  • St Minver Neighbourhood Development Plan
  • Tintagel have been designated for Neighbourhood Development Plan
  • The Polzeath Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) seeks to raise awareness, enjoyment and interest in the marine environment including the intertidal habitats and splash zone.

Other Designations

The offshore area from ‘Hartland Point to Tintagel’ has been designated as a Marine Conservation Zone.

The coast from Trebarwith to Widemouth is a designated SSSI and SAC.

Landscape Condition

State of the AONB Report 2021

  • There has been a departure from the local settlement pattern, vernacular and use of local materials in recent housing development in Boscastle and Tintagel and other locations and these detract from the heritage character of the settlements. The continued extension of these settlements and the unsympathetic redevelopment of existing dwellings continues to cumulatively erode the character of both the settlements and the wider landscape. Development pressure from Polzeath has the potential to impact upon the AONB and its setting.
  • Wind farms, including the one at Delabole, which is outside the AONB, alongside individual turbines, are clearly visible and have a negative landscape, visual and cumulative impact on the AONB landscape.
  • Unsympathetic restoration of former working quarries in the area has resulted in unnecessary landscape and visual impacts.
  • Some major roads and other local road improvements related to recent development have taken on suburban characteristics in their detailing.
  • Overhead wires are visually intrusive especially in the historic settlements of Port Isaac and Tintagel.
  • Lack of management of broadleaved woodland on many of the steep sided valleys has resulted in sycamore colonisation e.g. at Millook, Crackington and St Nectan’s Glen.
  • Japanese knotweed is prevalent in Rocky Valley and other valley systems.
  • Bracken encroachment is a significant issue within coastal valleys leading to loss of biodiversity and change in the landscape character.
  • Loss of hedgerow elm due to disease has impacted on habitat connectivity and landscape character in certain parts of this section of the AONB.
  • Port Isaac and Port Gaverne experience traffic congestion during peak periods on narrow lanes.

In This Section

Scheduled Monuments in Section 02

The Monumental Improvement project will ensure that 38 Scheduled Monuments in the Cornwall National Landscape will be better identified, supported and enjoyed by a wide range of communities and visitors.

Bottreaux Castle

Bottreaux Castle is a Norman motte and bailey fort near the centre of Boscastle.

Bottreaux Castle

Rocky Valley Labyrinths

Tucked away in a deep, rocky valley, you’ll find two mysterious spiral carvings that have puzzled people for centuries alongside ruined mills and a tranquil stream.

Rocky Valley Labyrinths

St Gennys Cliff Castle

Perched on a narrow ridge above the sea near St Gennys, this mysterious site might once have been a mighty Iron Age fort.

St Gennys Cliff Castle

The Rumps Cliff Castle

The Rumps is an ancient Cliff Castle projecting into the sea, built on an impressive promontory during the Iron Age over 2,000 years ago.

The Rumps Cliff Castle

Case studies from section 02

Cornwall Farmland Bird Project

The Cornwall Farmland Bird Project set out to address the long-term decline of farmland birds by pairing detailed on‑farm bird surveys with practical, bespoke habitat advice. Many farmland species have…

Projects in section 02

Farming in Protected Landscapes

Farming in Protected Landscapes

Project Description

Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a programme providing grant-funding for Farmers and Landowners designed to deliver for People, Place, Nature and Climate. The programme is funded by Defra and delivered by Cornwall National Landscape.

Project Aim

FiPL is helping to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, improve people’s engagement with the landscape, and support sustainable farm businesses and communities.

The Heart of Natural Beauty - Landscape Connections

The Heart of Natural Beauty – Landscape Connections

Project Description

Our aim is to strengthen the living connections between people, place, nature and climate so that Cornwall’s landscapes can thrive for generations to come.

Project Aim

To connect people, place, nature, and climate through digital innovation, amplifying voices and protecting Cornwall’s natural and cultural heritage.

Cornish Hedges

Cornish Hedges

Project Description

Some Cornish Hedges are over 3,500 yrs old! Making them one of the oldest human-made structures still used for their original purpose. As old as the Pyramids, neither a hedgerow or a dry-stone wall, they are unique and mainly found in Cornwall.

Project Aim

Despite their importance, there is a significant gap in evidence at scale to fully capture the contributions of Cornish Hedges to ecosystem services and natural capital value.

Policies & Objectives

The policies and objectives below are applicable to this Local Section – they should, however, be read in conjunction with the Cornwall AONB Strategy Aims, Policies and Objectives which are applicable to the whole designation.

Policies

Objectives