Atlantic Highway
Explorer

The northern gateway into Cornwall's Atlantic coast. A brilliant first stop with beaches, sea pool, cliff walks, cafés, and dramatic coastal weather. Excellent for sunsets and storm photography.

One of the most atmospheric coastal valleys in Cornwall. Steep cliffs close around the village, creating an almost hidden-world feeling. The geology here is extraordinary, especially at low tide.

A harbour village that feels carved into the cliffs themselves. The road down is steep and narrow, but the setting is unforgettable. One of the finest harbour locations anywhere in the South West.

Myth, Atlantic cliffs, Arthurian legends, and some of the wildest coastal scenery in England. Even people who know nothing about history tend to remember Tintagel. Walk beyond the castle crowds and follow the cliffs north or south — that's where the real atmosphere begins.

A tight maze of whitewashed lanes descending toward a tiny harbour. Beautiful, crowded in summer, and absolutely worth seeing early or late in the day.

A useful base and crossing point with good cafés, a cycle trail along the Camel Estuary, and easy access to Padstow and Rock.

One of the remotest points on the north Devon coast. Hartland Quay sits below dramatic folded cliffs — some of the most contorted geology in Britain. The pub at the quay is legendary.

A privately owned fishing village of cobbled lanes tumbling steeply to a small harbour. Unique in England. Worth the entry charge — go early to avoid crowds.

A working estuary town with a handsome medieval bridge, good cafés, and access to the Tarka Trail. A solid overnight stop with proper facilities.

One of the finest surf beaches in England. Three miles of Atlantic-facing sand, consistent waves, and wide open views. Spectacular at sunrise.

A Victorian resort town with a distinctive character — harbour tunnels, Damien Hirst sculpture, cliff-top walks, and a proper working harbour. More interesting than its reputation suggests.

The dramatic southern gateway to Exmoor from the coast. Lynmouth sits in a gorge beside the sea, Lynton stands above on the cliff. The water-powered cliff railway connecting them is one of the wonders of Victorian engineering.