"The 'unwalkable' cliffs!" and the perfect picnic spot. Pentewan, Cornwall

Published 2022-05-06
Please note that we have had to cut our intro at the beginning of the video due to a change in the copyright status of the music used. Apologies for the clumsy edit! Unfortunately, you may notice this on several of our videos.

The stretch of coast path from Pentewan to Black Head was described as 'unwalkable' by JRA Hockin in his book 'Walking in Cornwall' from 1936. This peaked our curiosity. Join us in this video to find out why.

Our walk starts in Pentewan, a pretty village on the south coast of Cornwall near St Austell. It's harbour was developed in the early 19th century by Christopher Hawkins to export china clay that was mined nearby.

Halfway along this walk, we discover a secluded cove with a beautiful waterfall and sea arch - the perfect picnic spot!

The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on YouTube, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!

Frequently asked questions:
What camera do we use?
Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII

How do I find the books you use?
Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.

Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.

What is your dog’s name?
Sorry but we do not release the name of our dog, perhaps you can make up your own name for him.

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All Comments (21)
  • @kernowarty
    Excellent walk with some beautiful views. I shall have to check out that area. I have never been further east than The Lizard in Cornwall. When Andrew said "That's where we should go on our holiday...Cowes" I thought he was going to do the old joke...What's brown and steaming and comes out of cows backwards?....The Isle of Wight Ferry!
  • @marieryan2541
    Hi Sarah and Andrew. Really enjoyed your walk today. Glad you did it and not me. This is one I couldn't do up and down the cliffs although the views are amazing.
  • Hi Sarah and Andrew. I really enjoyed the history of the church. The age of the buildings are fascinating to me. The flowers and the ocean were lovely. This hike was ambitious. Thanks again for sharing your walk with me. Sarah, I think Andrew should get a new pair of boots for Father's Day. The gift that keeps on giving and walking! πŸ’•πŸ‘ŸπŸ•πŸŒΉπŸŒ·πŸŒΈπŸŒΊ
  • @bernicebest
    This was a stunning walk on an un-walkable footpath, you dispelled that myth Sarah & Andrew with much perseverance and determination, wee brown dog wasn’t at all deterred by the difficult terrain, what a magnificent coast line with amazing views! plus Andrews charming sense of humour didn’t go unnoticed, or you Sarah trying to compete with it! well done πŸ‘your walks are always interesting and informative, look forward to them very much, thank you πŸ™ until next timeπŸ€—πŸ₯°
  • @cebusapella9125
    Hi Sarah and Andrew, Fantastic video, probably my favourite walk in that St Austell book, the walk along the cliffs is fantastic there, Hallane Beach is a gem, I discovered it first doing another walk in that book which I can also recommend,, starting at Porthpean and involves walking down the beautiful lane through Trenarren down to Hallane Beach. The cottage just above the beach I guess is a hoΓ±iday let, and must be one of the best situated in Cornwall! I also love the inland part of the walk, especially along the canal back to Pentewan, which in itself is a fascinating place. Many thanks.
  • Where I am living in the South Island of New Zealand we have many walks similar to Cornwall where we can see beautiful scenery for free, and we love coastal walks plus walks through the native bush, with lovely birdsongs, and I can’t imagine not going out for our walks! It’s really the best way to relax and wind down after a hard week at work.
  • @kevinweatheritt
    High Sarah and Andrew, another great video, I think Andrew should be PUNished for his lack of jokes mid video.Thanks you.
  • @cebusapella9125
    Forgot to add how sorry I was to read about the sad loss of your black doggie!
  • @Jeremy-ch4ib
    When I was a child we used to spend our summer holidays in Hallane mill, up until about six years ago it just had gas lighting. It is the most magical place, lovely memories.
  • @JoannaLouise200
    Classic uplifting CWT walk! ~ beautiful cliff paths with incredible vistas, sunshine on the sea, lunch in a secluded cove, smiles from Sarah, puns from Andrew and last, but not least, doggie digging on the beach...absolutely love it ~ made my day!
  • @judybee
    What a lovely little cove. Never been this way before. Challenging walk this time what with all those steps, ups and downs & getting lost with ''biting dogs'' to add to the drama! As for mentioning Cowes (not the moo-ey kind) I shall be there in 10 days time. In parts it's like a mini Cornwall on the IOW. But keeping fingers crossed that no petrol shortages in October this year to stop us getting back to Cornwall again. Lovely vid, even though it was a bit exhausting to watch you clambering up and down hill and dale! x J x
  • Love your sense of adventure. I also count steps. You are both very funny. πŸ˜„ I couldn't have done this walk far too hilly
  • @rose2fame1
    Hello , what a fantastic view! Loved this walk. The part where you spoke to the farmer that was a little scary.
  • Did the exact same walk today, met the farmer, his dog was locked in the trailer, we stared from the car park on the trail
  • @Louisa93able
    I think A. L. Rowse became a historian of Tudor, mainly Elizabethan times.
  • Been going to Pentewan on holiday for over 40 years and did the walk for the first time a couple of years ago. Definitely would advise setting off first thing and taking your time to enjoy the stunning scenery. When we did it we had to come off at a similar point as the path beyond had been closed due to a landslide. We didn't pay a visit to the beach, gutted now I've seen you video πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Thank you for bring back some happy and painful memories. The 280 feet was VERY steep. 😰
  • My goodness, you have done some beautiful walks, but for me this tops them all.
  • Another informative and interesting walk, thank you both. I am so tempted to make comments about your ability to count steps that you will never know how much self control it has taken not to do so. 🀣🀣🀣 Nice to see a bit of gate leaning, but Andrew is letting the side down with a severe lack of pasties. LOL. Myself and the current Mrs Miles will be back down in June but it is looking like I will not be able to relax because I will have so much to do. Counting the Lusty Glaze steps, walking the unwalkable path ( inland and coastal), and eating Andrew's share of the pasties. πŸ˜…πŸ˜…πŸ˜…. Keep up the great work, stay safe and healthy. Maybe we will meet up one day.πŸ‘πŸ‘
  • @sallydingle321
    Hi Andrew and Sarah, so good to see you in my neck of the woods πŸ˜‹. Walked this path quite a few times in my life...but not the circular...just the coast. Walked from Charlestown to Pentewan and then back again once...it was a killer but very satisfying. I much prefer a circular like you guys, but even though I live in this area, I think I would get lost in the area you did 😁. I have approached this farm from the opposite direction before, but like you, felt like I was trespassing πŸ˜‹....so hard to see where your supposed to go isn't it. I think the bitting dog might put me off too πŸ˜‚. Really enjoyed hearing about the history of the area and that picture of the children in the train...just amazing and something to treasure..,thanks guys... really enjoyed this πŸ‘ŒπŸ’πŸ˜πŸ˜˜