Today it is Boscastle, Cornwall. The photo above shows the hazardous entrance to the harbour. 100 years ago this was the only place a harbour could be built on this stretch of Cornwall's intimidating north coast.
It was an active port and harbour until the railway reached Cornwall in 1893. Today there are just a few fishing boats and pleasure crafts in the harbour.
Boscastle is now very much a tourist destination. There is a very large car park and from here it is a walk to the old harbour wall. You can't get lost - you just follow the small river, as shown in the photo below.
Along the valley there are a few cottages and buildings ...
... most constructed from local stone.
You'll also find a Witchcraft Museum! It is said to be the oldest and largest collection of items relating to witchcraft and the occult in England.
The river gradually widens. I snapped the photos when the tide was low, okay very low!
There's somewhere to get a cuppa or lunch in Boscastle. Several of the old buildings now cater for tourists needs.
At last we get the first glimpse of the old harbour wall, only a couple of small boats to be seen.
Below is a close up of the stonework of the harbour wall, said to have been built way back in 1584.
Another view of the entrance to Boscastle harbour.
The photo below was taken from the harbour wall looking inland.
There's somewhere to tie up your boat.
On our walk we now had to retrace our steps to a small bridge so we could get to the other side of the valley. The photo shows the main harbour wall from a different angle and also the smaller second wall.
There's a footpath on this side of the river so as to get a higher view from the cliff top.
The photo below is looking inland from the footpath.
After the walk we meandered back to the car, passing The Cobweb Inn ... but then we realised it's possible to also walk along the valley inland, which leads to St. Juliot church.
The church has a significance for any Thomas Hardy followers. He was the architect for the church restoration in 1870 - and it was here that he met his first wife. It is believed that their love affair was his inspiration for his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes.
All very pleasant!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Sorry that some of the photos are a bit dark ~ Mike.
Also see : My Coincidence Meeting at Boscastle
Lovely photos as always, Mike. I was about nineteen when I last went to Boscastle and it doesn’t look much changes at all. The north coast is so harsh, though. Beautiful, of course. Thank you for the nostalgia trip!
ReplyDeleteBoscastle hasn't changed very much, but a while back there were some very bad floods, though you wouldn't know this now. See: YouTube showing the floods : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrb0Ea0OkKU
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Mike,
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
DeleteIt didn't appear to be the usual hot, sunny Cornish weather Mike but I love harbours & boats so enjoyed your tour around Boscastle.
ReplyDeleteThanks David. It's an interesting place to visit, whatever the weather. Boscastle is often remembered because of the dreadful floods as mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI like the dark moody pictures Mike! The sea is such an stunning colour against the grey rocks. A couple of pictures look like Dragonstone from Game of Thrones. I've been meaning to go to that Witchcraft Museum for quite some time, cackle cackle :0 ;) Thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteI like the rock formations . As for the Witchcraft Museum, I've never been inside. either. No idea why, as I find Magic and Witchcraft fascinating. Good wishes.
DeleteThat ‘old’ building “catering for the tourists’ needs” is in fact a new building made to look old (and very similar to the old) as the original Pixie House (as it was called) was completely washed away in the floods. Part of my childhood was living in the village and the owner was a good mate’s mum!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks ~ good wishes.
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