Boscastle: Harbour, Museum and Coastal Paths

If you’re considering Boscastle as a destination, you can plan your stay around specific themes: the harbour, local history, the museum, and the paths through the village and coastal landscape. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is located at the harbour in Boscastle, Cornwall. It preserves collections comprising many thousands of objects, texts and documents. From Easter 2026, the museum is open daily, including public holidays, through 31 October. If the museum is a key part of your trip, plan your travel dates within this period.

Harbour and Trading History

Boscastle was a busy trading harbour. Grain, roofing slate and bark for tanning leather were exported from here. The listed structure comprising the pier, quay and walls on the south-west side of the harbour—South Harbour Pier, Quay and Walls on South West Side of Harbour—dates from around 1584. The harbour’s history therefore includes two distinct aspects: the former movement of goods and a listed complex dated to around 1584.

Paths by the Harbour and Coast

The South West Coast Path National Trail passes through Boscastle harbour. The Boscastle Harbour Walk is an easy stroll through the scenic village. Along the way, you can see the river, the old harbour, the well-known blowhole, sea views and local wildlife. The practical difference lies in the focus: a harbour passage on the National Trail, and an easy village walk with several points of interest on the Harbour Walk.

Willapark lies west of the harbour, at the edge of the coastal headland, and is a short walk from Boscastle. This gives it a specific connection to the location and coastal landscape: Willapark is on the headland west of the harbour.

Landscape and Historic Field Pattern

The Valency Valley has an oak woodland rich in lichens and mosses. This distinguishes its natural setting from the sea views and local wildlife of the Harbour Walk: the focus in the valley is on the woodland composition and abundance of lichens and mosses, while the walk offers coastal views and wildlife watching.

Forrabury Stitches is a historic field system that divides a larger, continuous area of land into several sections. This is a different historical focus from the harbour: rather than the movement of goods and the built structure, it concerns the division of an area of land.

Plan Your Visit and Journey

In summer 2022, Go Cornwall Bus route 95 ran between Bude and Wadebridge, stopping in Boscastle at the car park and by the toilets. From there, the harbour and the South West Coast Path were accessible via a short walk. For travel today, please check the current timetable.

At the harbour, the café serves Cornish pasties, cream teas and ice cream, along with other hot and cold refreshments. Check the latest information about the café and its offerings before your visit.

Discover more destinations: St Kew, Launcells, Luckett, Boswinger, Trevone, Brighton, Bude, Egloskerry.

For the regional travel overview: Cornwall.