Travel Diaires: Exploring Bocastle, Cornwall

It’s no secret that I love a British holiday.

Not only does it take away the stress of going to the airport, it also gives you the chance to explore your home. Everytime I holiday in England I am always surprised by the amount of sheer beauty, stunning landscapes and wonderful nature I end up finding.

Last month Elliott and I, along with our friends Devon and Shanie, went on a week long break down to explore the counties of Devon and Cornwall. Elliott and I have been there a few times before but this was the first time we went with other people. One of the days there the guys decided they would surprise us girls with a little day trip. We had no idea where we were going we just got into the car and trusted the guys to take us somewhere.

After quite a long drive from our holiday lodge we arrived in the charming Cornish town, Boscastle. Boscastle seems to be in the dip of a large valley that opens up into the sea. The hills on either side of the town feel like mountains when you’re looking up at them. But somehow, even though I felt so small I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder as I gazed up at the daunting hillside.

I had never been to Boscastle before but as soon as we got out of the car I was excited to wander through the picturesque streets and marvel at all of the independent shops. There are of course your more basic stores however the ones that I was most keen to go in were the more quaint and obscure. Whilst walking from the car park down to the harbour there were many places selling things like crystals, healing stones, incense and other mystical items. If you’re into this kind of shopping I would definitely recommend you head to Boscastle to check out “The Otherworld” and “Boscastle Rocks”.

Throughout the town there is a small river with stores and cute little cottages bordering either side. It was extremely pretty and made for a few wonderful photos.

I absolutly adored all of the grey bricked cottages that made up most of the buildings in the town. Most of them looked quite old but still just as endearing and inviting. I love them so much in fact, that I hope one day I can live in my very own preferably by the sea. Am I the only twenty-something who is dreaming of a quiet wholesome country life? I like to think I’m not too alone in this…

After wandering through the town we found the main reason why the guys decided to take us here - the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Now, if you know me then you know I love all things dark and creepy (I am not saying all witchcraft is - I know alot of it’s not) especially if it’s based off history and facts. So for me the museum was the perfect place to go.

We spent a few hours in the museum gazing at marvellous objects and reading all about the history of witchcraft and magic - and how it came to inspire so many things. I didn’t actually take any photos inside the museum that I want to share. Mainly because I don’t want to spoil it for those of you that haven’t been and want to go. But also because I wanted to fully immerse myself in the museum without the distraction of trying to get a good shot. I wanted to be truly present while I read, marvelled and wondered. It was a truly wonderful experience.

Outside of the museum there is a small wishing well, whilst inside there is a small shrine where you can sit and contemplate life. They were both great spots to reflect on my newfound knowledge but also just to sit in silence and relax.

Once we were finished at the museum we made our way down towards Boscastle’s tiny harbour. The walk down is pretty flat but as Boscastle is in the middle of a valley, I’d suggest wrapping up as the wind really does race in between the hills, especially in the colder months. Despite the sharp wind, the walk is really quite pleasant with plenty of opportunities to spot (and pet!) some local dogs as well as enjoy the fresh sea air and the splendid view of the river opening up into the sea.

The only part of the walk that was a little challenging was when the river starts to open out. If you walk along the left hand side of the river like we did you will end up at quite a few sets of uneven and steep steps that take you up onto the cliffside. There are no handrails or paths as such so you have to make sure you keep well away from the edge and wear appropriate hiking boots. However once you’ve gotten to the top the view is worth every step!

After enjoying the view of the sea we climbed back down and grabbed some food at the local pub called the Cobweb Inn. The warm pasties and chips were very welcoming after a few hours out in the cold. We left with full bellies and the warm fuzzy feeling that comfort food leaves behind. Bliss.