Morwenstow: Coastal Walks and Maritime History

If you’re looking for hotels in Morwenstow, you can shape your stay around two main interests: walks along the coast and through the valley, or church art and maritime history. The routes vary in length and character; the historical themes range from medieval parts of the church to a shipwreck off the coast.

Coastal Walks of Different Lengths

The Morwenstow circular walk is a 3-mile loop along the coast and through the Tidna Valley. This single circular route therefore passes through two distinct landscapes. Its length provides a practical guide for planning a local walk; route details may change, so it’s worth checking the latest information before setting out.

A longer walking route is the Tamara Coast to Coast Way, also called the Tamara Way. The route is 87 miles long and ends in Morwenstow on Cornwall’s picturesque north coast, overlooking the wild Atlantic. The 87 miles refer to the route; Morwenstow is its endpoint. This makes it easy to distinguish its length from that of the local circular walk.

The South West Coast Path section from Duckpool to St Morwenna’s is a more challenging coastal route. In suitable weather, the far-reaching views extend from Padstow to Lundy. Both the more challenging nature of the section and the weather-dependent views are factors to consider when planning your walk.

Duckpool and the Tidna Valley

Duckpool is a secluded beach with rock pools, overlooked by cliffs. There are opportunities for coastal and inland walks at Duckpool, including a circular walk through the valley. Alongside the beach scenery, visitors can therefore choose from different types of walks. The paths here differ from the longer Tamara Way, which ends in Morwenstow, and from the explicitly more challenging section of the South West Coast Path.

The Tidna Valley is also known for its large population of large blue butterflies. Those interested in nature and the landscape will find another point of interest here, alongside the walking route through the valley. The coastal and valley circular walk connects these landscapes along its route; the butterfly population is a separate natural feature of the Tidna Valley.

Church, Art and Maritime History

The oldest parts of the Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist in Morwenstow date from the 12th century. Its furnishings include a granite font from the early Norman period. Above the altar, the reredos features a triptych of engravings of the Crucifixion by John Baptist Jackson, as well as a red-chalk drawing of John the Baptist by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. The architecture, font and two artworks therefore represent different aspects of the church’s history.

About eight metres west of the lychgate of the Church of St Morwenna stands a carved wooden figurehead of the Caledonia, dating from the early 19th century. It commemorates the ship’s captain and crew from Arbroath. The Caledonia was wrecked off Morwenstow in 1842; there was one survivor. The figurehead thus preserves the memory of a specific maritime event and the people on board.

Hawker’s Hut offers a different perspective: Reverend Hawker built the hut on a clifftop in 1843. It was constructed from ship’s timbers and topped with a turf roof. Another date in cultural history is 1843: that year, the tradition of the Harvest Festival was revived. Together with the shipwreck memorial and the church, this story broadens the picture beyond the walking routes.

Getting There by Bus

If travelling by bus is part of your plans, you can consider Go Cornwall Bus route 217, which runs from Bude via Morwenstow to Gooseham. Check the timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey using the current service information.

Discover more destinations: Ruan Minor, Duloe, Penzance, St Teath, Boswinger, Washaway, Saint Ives, Tintagel.

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.