iKnow Cornwall
Boscastle Accommodation
The Historic Wellington Hotel in the Centre of Bostcastle
Boscastle's Museum of Witchcraft - Magic!
Great Specialist Shopping in Boscastle 
Boscastle SceneBoscastle Tourist Information Medieval Harbour Witchcraft Coastal Walking Bostcastle Cornwall
Awareness of Boscastle on the North Coast of Cornwall reached a peak internationally in 2004 when serious floods brought havoc in the area. This is well behind Boscastle now and it recover quickly to welcome the many visitors again to what can only be described as one of the most stunning stretches of coast with an ancient harbour in Cornwall. The medieval harbour at Boscastle is a must see in the area, as indeed is the village of Boscastle itself hidden away in a steep sided valley. Ancient woods are waiting to be explored around Boscastle - perfect for wildlife lovers and bird watchers! Many Boscastle cottages date back to the 15th century, and there's a Norman church and examples of medieval strip farming on the cliff tops!
Boscastle has much to offer, particularly for lovers of rugged coastal walking. The view of Devil's Bellows blowhole from Boscastle harbour is memorable indeed. Cornwall's pagan history is explored here with the Museum of Witchcraft, and Boscastle is often mentioned in conjunction with Thomas Hardy who whooed another! woman here - Emma Gifford, and the meeting subsequently influenced his novel 'A Pair of Blue Eyes'. He seems to have made a habit of this!
Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft & Boscastle Visitor Centre
This superb witchcraft museum in Boscastle is a must visit for those interested in Cornwall's pagan history, plus witchcraft in general. It's been here for over 40 years, so has amassed one of the best collections of witchcraft artefacts internationally and is naturally one of Cornwall's most popular museums.
Take a journey through the many witchcraft exhibitions which include 'Images of Witchcraft', tracing the many stereotypes of witches through the ages, including their use in advertising. The Wise Woman exhibit explores the history of those 'wise women and cunning men', in Cornwall occasionally known as Pellars or Pellers, who served as healers, therapists and counsellors in villages. Some of the torture shackles, Scold's Bridles and iron waistband shackles on display here are a grusome reminder of the grusome treatment of witches in the past. There's a Modern Witchcraft exhibit as well, exploring the religion of modern witchcraft today, where witches worship The Goddess in her many forms and The Horned God. No set rules here, just as a basis ""Do what thou will, but harm none"". Modern witchcraft today is a nature based and nature loving religion, and Wicca followers come for a range of backgrounds. Other exhibits include Charms and Spells and Stone Circles and Sacred Sits.
Check the Boscastle Witchcraft Museum's website to the right for a full tour of the museum. They do emphasise that some exhibits may be controversial and not suitable for sensitive children. This is a thorough historically focused museum however, with a superb archive and true to it's subject it doesn't compromise on exhibit displays - highly commendable and highly recommended for a visit if you're in the area. Most exhibits focus on Cornish and English witchcraft, and the in-house archive is impressive and often used by academics researching witchcraft and pagan history.
Boscastle's visitor centre offers an extensive range of leaflets and books on the area, plus internet access. Boscastle Visitors Centre, The Harbour, Boscastle, Cornwall, PL35 0HD. Tel. 01840 250010.
Bostcastle Golf & Walking
Just inland from Boscastle and Tintagel is an acclaimed Cornwall golf course indeed, Bowood Park Golf Club. The golf course is set within 230 acres of gentle hills and woodland and especially welcome are beginner golfers and the less experienced. Expect beautiful greens here, 18 holes Par 72.
Bowood Park Golf Club, Bowood Park, Lanteglos, Cornwall. PL32 9RT. Tel: 01840 213017.
For walking in this stunning North Cornwall spot, first call in at the Boscastle Visitors centre at Cobweb Car Park for a choice of walking trail leaflets covering both the coast and around inland villages. A number of choice circular walks can be done in the area including the Pentagon Walk, the Four Church Walk and a Boscastle walk through local woods and countryside.
Boscastle Festivals & Attractions
There's a superb arts and crafts vibe to Boscastle, and no better can you get a feel for this than at the annual Boscastle Food, Arts and Crafts Festival at the beginning of October. Local artists display their work, and craft stalls are set up in the village hall. All accompanied by plenty of live music and great food and real ales in Boscastle pubs and inns. Local chefs offer cookery lessons too!
Thomas Hardy fanatics should head to The Old Rectory, St. Juliot, Boscastle. St Juliot is the church that Hardy was commissioned to restore - his reason for being in the area when he was an architect. Here at St Juliot they have open garden sessions usually in high summer. Check with Boscastle Visitor Centre for details, or the web link to the right.
Why not also really enjoy the coastline of Boscastle and book a boat trip through the visitor centre. Highly recommended!
Boscastle Restaurants & Pubs
Boscastle offers an excellent choice of dining venues, both formal and informal. Check out the newly refurbished Waterloo Restaurant at The Wellington Hotel, The Harbour, Boscastle. Tel: 01840 250202. With a little help from the Changing Rooms BBC Challenge, this Boscastle restaurant is now up and running again. With a chic contemporary interior, and a choice of fine, imaginative cuisine and an excellent choice of both vegetarian and vegan options. Pre-booking is essential in this AA 2 Rosette restaurant. The hotel dates back to the 16th Century and has had a number of celebrity guests including Thomas Hardy and Edward VII.
Bottreaux Restaurant, Boscastle, Cornwall. Tel: 01840 250231. Riverside Restaurant, The Bridge, Boscastle. Tel: 01840-250252.
Harbour Restaurant. Riverside Walk, Boscastle, Tel: 01840 250380.
Old Manor House Restaurant, The Bridge, Boscastle. Tel: 01840-250251.
