OK, so you're in the car park: Walk across the road,
over to the right and start walking. I cannot give directions
here, we got lost in the dunes! Somewhere out there are steps
to take you away from the dreadful sand and up towards the lovely
grass on the cliffs. Eventually, you'll get to the gate and looking
back, you'll see Holywell Bay below you.
Now you just keep to the left as you walk out round The Kelseys;
soon you'll come to Kelsey Head: A large flattish stone providing
some shelter from the wind on a breezy day. Many's the time I've
wedged myself here while seawatching (birdwatching for seabirds).
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Now follow the cliffs towards Porth (or Polly) Joke; a lovely
beach at the end of a sheltered valley. No facilities here, though:
No toilets, cafe or amusement arcade...just a beach and all the
better for it. Go over the small bridge and up the slope, turning
left to follow the cliff alongside the beach, then up and around
West Pentire. From the broken-down wall at the top, head right
and downwards; the path is to the left of the wall in front of
you. This path will now take you all the way to the café
at Crantock Beach car park - If you can find the way across the
grassy dunes in the way!
If the day is hot (and it was), you can buy an ice cream
at the café.
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The next part can be fun, you've got to walk across the Gannel:
Preferably when the tide is out! If it's in, there's a ferry,
but I don't know anything about it - you'll have to check it
out. There is a bridge, if you time it right, and from the other
side, you have a very long and steep stairway to walk.
Once at the top, turn left and walk along the street for
a while before coming out at Pentire; a favourite place for parking
and dog-walking (we certainly used to). Go past the toilets and
along the rough lane around to Fistral. There's a path which
runs along the back of the beach, and at the other end, you can
walk with the Headland Hotel on the right and so arrive back
at your car.
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