31 Oct Mawgan Porth and Bedruthan Steps – My First Stop in Cornwall
In a way this day was probably the hardest of my entire trip.
I had slept only five hours after spending almost twenty-two hours on my feet. There was a two hour flight delay, a three and a half hour flight and then the challenge of getting used to driving in the UK at night, since I arrived at my friend’s house after midnight.
So I started the day feeling both tired and excited.
Tired from the journey.
Excited to finally start exploring Cornwall.
A Long Drive to Cornwall
After driving almost 390 kilometers, I decided to stop in Mawgan Porth to stretch my legs.
What started as a quick break turned into something much better.
I took off my shoes, walked on the beach and let the cold water wake me up while taking a few photos of this beautiful place.
Mawgan Porth Beach
Mawgan Porth is a stunning beach surrounded by cliffs and wide open sands.
It was also my first real encounter with the Cornish coastline.
Walking the South West Coast Path
While standing on the beach a slightly silly idea crossed my mind.
Instead of driving to my next destination I decided to walk the South West Coast Path towards Bedruthan Steps.
It turned into a 5–6 kilometer walk along the cliffs.
The walk itself is easy and the scenery is fantastic, but if you are arriving after a long drive I honestly recommend driving instead.
Park at the Bedruthan Steps parking area and walk the few hundred meters needed to reach the viewpoint.
After a long journey and getting used to driving on the left side of the road, extra walking may not be the best idea.
Bedruthan Steps
Bedruthan Steps is truly spectacular.
And it would be a shame to visit Cornwall without seeing it at least once.
Bedruthan Steps
From the cliffs above you can admire the huge rock stacks rising from the sea.
There is also a narrow staircase leading down to the beach.
The ladder can sometimes be slippery and crowded, but if you are fit enough to climb down it is absolutely worth it.
Standing on the beach next to those massive rock formations is a completely different experience.
Surfers and Cornwall Beaches
I visited Mawgan Porth and Bedruthan Steps on September 28th, and to my surprise there were many surfers in the water.
During the following days I noticed that surfing is extremely popular in Cornwall.
Almost every beach had surfers in the water or shops renting equipment and offering lessons.
I never expected surfing to be so widespread here, but it clearly plays a big role in the coastal culture of Cornwall.
A Perfect First Stop in Cornwall
Bedruthan Steps turned out to be the perfect introduction to Cornwall.
It has everything that defines this region: huge sandy beaches, dramatic rock formations, turquoise waters, high cliffs with incredible views.
It is one of those places where a photograph can say more than a long description.
Arrival in St Ives
The final 60 kilometers towards St Ives were probably the hardest part of the day.
After the long drive and the coastal walk I was extremely tired.
All I wanted was: a hot shower, something to eat, and maybe a few hours of rest.
But once I arrived in St Ives, something interesting happened.
Even after such a long day I still felt the urge to go out and explore.
So after checking into my accommodation, taking that long awaited shower and grabbing a quick meal, I went out again with my camera.
And during that short evening walk I captured one of my favorite photographs from the entire trip.
Surfers at sunset in St Ives
Final Thoughts
I am far from being a professional photographer.
But I truly enjoy photography and I enjoy watching how my photos slowly improve with every trip.
There will always be things to improve, better angles to find and better light to capture.
But that is part of the journey.
And Cornwall, with its incredible coastlines and dramatic landscapes, is the perfect place to keep practicing.
My next article will focus on the accommodation I found in St Ives, followed by more posts about the places I explored during my second day in Cornwall.
Until then, thank you for taking the time to read this post.
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