The UK’s holiday hotspot, Cornwall is a favourite destination, not just for surfing, sunbathing and sightseeing, but for walking too. In addition to unspoilt interior countryside, Cornwall’s coast is linked via the South West Coast Path, a 630 mile coastal route taking the region’s explorers from Minehead in Somerset right round to Swanage in Dorset.
With eleven hostels dotted around the coast of Cornwall, from the windswept cliffs of Lizard to the pretty harbour town of Padstow and the dramatic coast at Land’s End, we offer pocket-friendly places to stay while exploring the county. These properties, just a handful of the many that can be found throughout England and Wales, are open to visitors of all ages. So whether it’s a summer break to St. Austell with friends or a family bank holiday trip to the Eden Project, you’ll find a warm welcome and a warm bed awaiting you at a fraction of the price of any hotel.
And if walking is on your Cornwall holiday agenda, going hostel to hostel is a great way to enjoy the best the South West Coast Path has to offer.
YHA Tintagel to YHA Bocastle
Not too challenging and not overly lengthy, this route from magical Tintagel to historic Boscastle allows for plenty of stops along the way. An optional detour takes you to the moss covered St. Nectan’s Glen with its captivating waterfall and hermitage, source of the legend of Saint Nectan. The hostels at either end of your walk are dog friendly when exclusively hired so why not consider gathering a group of pup owners to join you on this trip?
The route
Beginning at YHA Tintagel, just a short walk from Tintagel Castle, you’ll immediately join the well-signposted South West Coast Path, passing Glebe Cliff before exiting the town. Here the path passes the rocky headland of Barras Nose, the North Tintagel Boulders and The Sisters, two imposing rocks looming just off the coast. Here sandy, sheltered Bossiney and Benoath Coves are a great place to stop for a paddle.
It’s here you can choose to leave the coastal path and head towards the village of Bossiney, following the B road out to the St. Nectan’s car park where the path to the waterfalls is easy to find. Take your time exploring the shaded woodland before returning to the coast back the way you came.
On return to the South West path, you’ll follow the rugged Trethevy Cliffs, eventually reaching Ladies Window, an Instagrammable gap in the rocks overlooking the sea. Pass Grower Rock just beyond here and you’ll catch a first glimpse of the outskirts of Boscastle. To explore the town, follow the Forrabury Stitches. Otherwise continue along the coast path, taking a left to the Boscastle Coastwatch Station for glorious views of – on a good day – almost tropical seas. It’s then on to Boscastle Harbour where you’ll find YHA Boscastle, your home for the night.
The hostels
YHA Tintagel: offered for YHA Exclusive Hire only, this spacious hostel sleeps 22 people and is an affordable choice for groups. With clean, modern bathrooms, self-catering facilities, Wi-Fi and parking on-site, everyone can enjoy a comfortable break in an unbeatable location, right on the dramatic Cornwall cliffs.
YHA Boscastle: a quaint stone-built building right on Boscastle’s beautiful harbour, this hostel is ideally located for exploring the local area, including the unmissable Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, just next door. Self-catering only, this hostel is situated next to the Harbour Light café and is within easy reach of all of the town’s pubs, restaurants and tea rooms.
YHA Coverack to YHA Lizard Point
The unforgettable stretch of Cornwall between Coverack and Lizard is dotted with sandy beaches and lined with green pastures. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), geologists will enjoy spotting the glossy green serpentine rock found along the way (it has even been used for some slightly treacherous-when-wet stiles). Although this walk can be completed in a little over four hours, allow time to spot basking sharks and red-beaked Cornish choughs, explore the rock pools of Kennack Sands and take in the Iron Age cliff castles of Lankidden and Chynalls Point.
The route
Leaving Coverack you’ll pass by Chynall’s Point and the dramatic Portbeer Cove, a great spot for a photo looking back towards town. You’ll then follow the South West Coast Path along dramatic cliffs and crashing seas, finding Downas Cove and Lankidden Cove along the way before stopping at the popular family beaches of Kennack Sands, a lovely place for a picnic and a paddle, though it gets very busy in the height of summer.
Outside the hamlet of Poltesco you might choose to spend some time at the Old Serpentine Works, now a National Trust property. A wander past the village of Cadgwith, with its picturesque harbour and tin tabernacle follows, then it’s on to the Devil’s Frying Pan a 100M deep drop from cliff to sea and a dramatic sight on choppier days.
From here you’ll take on some short but challenging ups and downs as you approach the Lizard Peninsula. However, the effort is well worth it, with breathtaking views of the cliffs, the sea and Lizard Lighthouse as well as an opportunity to clamber down to the beautiful Housel Bay. After checking this out, take a moment to explore the most southerly point in the UK before a short walk back towards YHA Lizard Point.
The hostels
YHA Coverack: worth booking in simply for the panoramic sea views, this comfortable hostel provides plenty of options for your stay, including private ensuite rooms, bell tent camping and private hire. Close to local attractions, including the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, and beautiful beaches, this property offers breakfasts and packed lunches for hungry day trippers.
YHA Lizard Point: offered for YHA Exclusive Hire only, this hostel allows guests to enjoy privacy and comfort at an affordable price. With spectacular views out to sea, this hostel is one of our most special locations, giving human and canine visitors alike excellent access to long walks and stunning beaches.
YHA Perranporth to YHA Portreath
Although challenging, thanks to a variety of tough ascents (and tricky descents), walking the South West Coast Path from the busy surf town of Perranporth to harbourside Portreath is extremely rewarding. Allow six or seven hours for plenty of stops along the way to catch your breath and spot guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills nesting in the cliffs. If you’re lucky you may glimpse puffins too.
The route
On leaving Perranporth you’ll follow the Shag Rock Steps towards Cligga Head, with its eerie tunnels, wolframite mine and explosives factory, now an interesting place for geology buffs to explore. A short walk on is Hanover Cove, home to a famed 1763 shipwreck, reportedly still hiding priceless treasures.
On from here, Newdowns Head and St. Agnes Head, close neighbours, are both excellent lunch spots. While the former provides reliable seal spotting, the latter isn’t just a popular hang gliding spot, it’s also dotted with abandoned tin and copper mines. St. Agnes is also believed to have inspired Winston Graham’s famous Poldark series of books.
After a rest it’s back on the path towards Chapel Porth Beach, passing by Wheal Coates, home to more tin mine ruins. Chapel Porth is worth the scramble to reach, however if you’d rather not add extra climbs, the more accessible Porthtowan Beach is a little farther on, ideal for dipping sore toes in salty water. The tidal pool here is also great for sheltered swimming should you fancy a dip. From Porthtowan it’s a couple of hours along the coast and through the centre of Portreath to reach your destination. Alternatively, leaving the coastal path saves 30 to 45 minutes and takes you through rolling countryside with the option to stop at the Cuckoo Valley Cider Mill for refreshment on the way.
The hostels
YHA Perranporth: available to hire exclusively, this funky coastal hostel is ideal for groups of friends who want to make the most of local surfing and water sports. Amazing Atlantic views are accompanied by comfortable bedrooms, a modern kitchen and space to hang out together both inside and out.
YHA Portreath: located a little way outside of the town, this hostel is housed in a quirky former barn. With spacious grounds and a BBQ area, this hostel is an ideal spot for a summer break, while a self-catering kitchen and shared lounge provides convenient comfort for cool or rainy days.
YHA breaks in Cornwall
From its bright blue seas to its steely cliffs and verdant green countryside, Cornwall is home to one of the UK’s most astounding landscapes. And there’s no better way to enjoy this special place than with a stay at a local YHA property. Helping to make holidays in the South West accessible to all, we offer a wide range of stays, including camping, in a variety of Cornwall’s most popular locations. To start planning your break, visit our guide to Cornwall stays.
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Photo credit: Helen Hotson / Adobe Stock
