Crugmeer: Walking Routes and Coastal History

Crugmeer is a small hamlet through which the path from Stepper Point to Trevone runs. A circular route also runs from Padstow via Crugmeer, Trevone and Stepper Point. When planning a stay, it is worth distinguishing between these two perspectives on the paths: one passes through the hamlet between Stepper Point and Trevone, while the other is a circular route with a specified distance and duration. This can help you decide whether the route through the hamlet or the longer circuit is more important to you.

Walking Around Crugmeer

On the path from Stepper Point to Trevone, turn right at a postbox in Crugmeer, then left. After 100 metres, the path crosses a hedge and continues through fields. It runs mostly over grass. Check field access and waymarking locally; path conditions can change, and surfaces vary seasonally. The sequence of turns and the field section that follows provide specific guidance for this stretch, but do not replace checking the current route.

The circular route from Padstow via Crugmeer, Trevone and Stepper Point is about 7 miles long; the estimated duration is 3 hours 15 minutes. This is an estimate, as walking speed and conditions affect the time. On the route, you reach Crugmeer after crossing two more fields. From there, the circular route continues along a road or farm track, then descends steeply to Trevone Bay. The distance and time refer to the circuit; the field crossings and descent describe individual sections. Check path conditions before setting out.

Getting Your Bearings on the Way

To reach NCI Padstow, a winding road runs for about two miles to Crugmeer. You can then park at the roadside near the access to the coastal path. As parking options can change, check the details before you travel.

Coast and History

The Daymark, a 40-foot-high tower, stands near Crugmeer. It was built in 1826 to mark the entrance to the harbour for ships. Its height, construction date and purpose give the structure a clear connection to shipping and coastal navigation.

Hawkers Cove is also nearby. The best way to reach the cove is on foot from Padstow via the South West Coast Path. Padstow’s former RNLI lifeboat station was located there. The coastal path to Hawkers Cove passes abandoned fortifications at Gun Point, dating from the Napoleonic Wars. Along this route, maritime and military history meet: the former lifeboat station at the cove and the fortifications at Gun Point offer different historical points of interest.

Crugmeer also has a history as an airfield. The airfield was also known as Padstow Aerodrome and RAF Padstow. It was in operation from 25 March 1918 to 1919; the RAF used it for maritime patrols. The different names refer to the same airfield, not three different places. Its aviation history thus adds military patrols over the sea to the area's themes of shipping and coastal fortifications.

Discover more destinations: Tregony, Saint Mawes, Saint Merryn, Saint Newlyn East, Lelant, Saint Minver, Withiel, Probus

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.