So it was Linda’s birthday and as a good partner I asked what she would like to do? Not shopping, not a meal out but a coastal walk with some sarnies was her choice!! I’d ordered some splendid weather to set off a lovely piece of North Cornwall coastline to perfection. The scene was set for a walk that will likely feature in the end of the year best walks post for sure. It was glorious. We drove up towards Rock, parking in the industrial estate which holds the Sharp’s brewery, in order to save a few quid from the steep parking charges in both Rock and Polzeath, even in winter! The parking charges are laughable in Polzeath, where most things are closed in winter, and you have to park on the beach, which isn’t owned by anyone in my opinion! Parking charges avoided, we walked towards the Point Golf Course and Shilla Mill, it won’t be long before the golf course is surrounded by holiday homes/cottages, as building continues a pace in the area. Before long we popped out at Polzeath and a stop for coffee (from a flask) by the beach was in order. The sun shone, the sand golden, the sea blue and the waves all foamy white. Perfection. We walked around to Daymer Bay, before heading inland slightly to St Enodoc church, the resting place of Sir John Betjeman. What followed was 45 minutes of pure bliss as we sat eating lunch, with a perfect view and warming sunshine and nowhere to be fast. We eventually tore ourselves away and headed for Rock, firstly along the Padstow estuary before passing quickly through the tourism in Rock itself. Then on through the brilliantly named Splatt and back to our car in Pityme, but not before a birthday drink in the pub. A superb birthday walk, and the second coastal walk we’ve done for Linda’s birthday, both have been in lovely sunshine, so I think we have hit on a formula.
Start – Pityme
Route – Point Golf Club – Shilla Mill – Polzeath – South West Coastal Path – Hayle Bay – Daymer Bay – St Enodoc Church – Brea Hill – Rock – Stoptide – Splatt – Pityme
Distance – 7 miles Start time – 11.15am Time taken – 4hrs Highest Point – Mostly sea level
The pub where we would finish the walk, we had parked along that road on the leftOn our way to Point Golf CourseCrossing the golf course, one of two we would encounter todayPolzeath in the distance, Pentire Point is seen clearly from hereCamelia at Shilla Mill Shilla MillCoffee stop place for us was a bench from a closed cafe by the beach. Pentire Point on the rightHayle Bay is the beach as you walk the path round towards Daymer BayAs you round the corner Stepper Point comes into view and Gulland Rock out to seaPentire Point and Newland is the island across Hayle BayStepper Point across Padstow Bay, the estuary entrance is to the left hereOne last look back at Pentire Point and NewlandThe stunning Padstow estuary, Brea Hill on the leftDaymer Bay, St Enodoc church is in the centreSt Enodoc’sThe 12th century church, which was covered in sand until the 1800’sLovely little daffs all around the churchyard
Sir John’s grave
Inside the churchThe Norman font and 17th century chestLunch with an awesome view, probably only once on the coastal path have we had a better spot, and that was at Cape Cornwall, could have stayed here all day.Down at Daymer Bay after eventually dragging ourselves away from St Enodoc’sLooking out of the estuary as we head around Brea Hill, the perfect beach at Daymer Bay, no wonder Sir John loved it so muchA bit vertiginous as we walk around Brea HillInto Padstow itself as we round the cornerLooking back outGlorious weather as we walk through the dunesHappy birthday girl, Stepper Point behind usOne last look out of the estuary with Brea Hill and St Enodoc Golf course to the right As far as we would walk along the coastal path with the ferry to Padstow leaving from hereThe River Camel starts from this point heading inland towards and past CamelfordLooking back down to the estuary as we leave RockHeading through Splatt towards PitymeTime for a well earned drink at the end of a superb walk, definitely the best of the year so far, and very likely to be on the years best come next year!On the way home the traffic was a bit troublesome, but we diverted over the southwest corner of Dartmoor and Linda suggested a stop off to watch the sunset, a great choice and fine ending to a birthdaySunset timeNice bit of cloud and surprising bits of grass sticking up that I didn’t see in the lens, but I like it!
Well done Linda for choosing a walk for your birthday weekend treat! I’m so glad it all came together, it looked wonderful – I can hardly believe that’s a day from February! My birthday walk plans were sleeted off – perhaps I should’ve headed south 😂
Visited Polzeath a couple of times to surf my Kayak but not walked the coast round to Daymer Bay and Rock. Stunning day and not too shabby for a birthday day out
Think I earned a bonus point or two with the choice of location for the walk for sure. The section of the path from Rock to Bude is superb, and probably one of the best parts of the whole path that I’ve done so far.
Looks like an ideal way to spend a birthday. Love the church and the views. You are rocking the flat-cap. I feel like there must come a point when it’s sort of the done thing to adopt the look, but I’m never sure whether I’ve reached the age or not. Then again, I muse about daft things, for instance, when I retire should I adopt my Great Uncle Fred’s approach and wear tweed three piece suits, one for Sunday best and the other for gardening? With a tin of snuff in one pocket and a tin of mints in the other? Sorry, I seem to have digressed somewhat!
Love the flat cap look, and I keep it in the lid pocket in my rucksack now permanently, its perfect for cooler days. As for the church it is a glorious setting in that sort of weather. Like the tweed suit idea, maybe introduce the idea a piece at a time!
treksandtors 
Well done Linda for choosing a walk for your birthday weekend treat! I’m so glad it all came together, it looked wonderful – I can hardly believe that’s a day from February! My birthday walk plans were sleeted off – perhaps I should’ve headed south 😂
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You definitely scored a hit. Happy birthday to Linda xx
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It was a perfect choice and we will look to do this every year for Linda’s birthday, she’s a fan of the coastal walking
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Nice read Steve, what a super power it would be to be able to choose the weather!
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Plenty of sunshine down here this last 5 or 6 days , really nice to see even if it is cold with it.
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Happy Birthday ( belated ) to Linda and what a wonderful walk in beautiful weather. The sea is a gorgeous colour.
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It was a lovely spot
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Happy Birthday to Linda!
Visited Polzeath a couple of times to surf my Kayak but not walked the coast round to Daymer Bay and Rock. Stunning day and not too shabby for a birthday day out
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Think I earned a bonus point or two with the choice of location for the walk for sure. The section of the path from Rock to Bude is superb, and probably one of the best parts of the whole path that I’ve done so far.
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I’ve done some stretches round there but not the whole part. I seem to remember the stretch north of Polzeath was pretty good
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Lovely coastal walk. Happy birthday to Linda and it is such a great way to spend a birthday.
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Looks like an ideal way to spend a birthday. Love the church and the views. You are rocking the flat-cap. I feel like there must come a point when it’s sort of the done thing to adopt the look, but I’m never sure whether I’ve reached the age or not. Then again, I muse about daft things, for instance, when I retire should I adopt my Great Uncle Fred’s approach and wear tweed three piece suits, one for Sunday best and the other for gardening? With a tin of snuff in one pocket and a tin of mints in the other? Sorry, I seem to have digressed somewhat!
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Love the flat cap look, and I keep it in the lid pocket in my rucksack now permanently, its perfect for cooler days. As for the church it is a glorious setting in that sort of weather. Like the tweed suit idea, maybe introduce the idea a piece at a time!
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