Backways Cove, Port William & Trebarwith Strand

A relatively short walk by road from Tintagel to Backways Cove and then back along the coast path. At least 1/2 of the time was spent sheltering from rain. It was also very windy. Very.

Backways Cove is somewhat unusual in that the upper part of the inlet has been subject to former slate quarrying activities creating a ‘gorge’ shaped access along the stream bed into the cove and shingle and stone beach.

Trebarwith Strand is accessible to walkers along the South West Coast Path from both the north and south. Rugged Gull Rock, about 600 yards offshore, is frequently used as a filming location. In recent years “Saving Grace" (2000), and “Oscar and Lucinda” (1997) both had scenes filmed here. Most famously Trebarwith Strand stood in for Shakespeare’s coast of Illyria in the 1996 production of "Twelfth Night".

The clifftop footpath to Tintagel passes boreholes and other remnants of the cliff quarry workings which were in operation in this area from the 15th century up to the beginning of World War II.