Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is a stretch of coastline located on the north Cornish coast between Padstow and Newquay, in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is within the parish of St Eval and is part-owned by the National Trust.
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Well worth a visit. Impressive coastal landscape in Cornwall. Parking £2.50 for 2hrs or free for National Trust members. Stop by the cafe after your walk back for some refreshing Cornish ice cream.
The rocks dotted across the beach (or sea depending on when you visit and whether the tide is out) are said to have been used by the giant Bedruthan as stepping stones. The place has a mining history also, so worth a bit of reading to appreciate the magic of the place a little more.
We warned that steps to the beach are uneven and can be slippery, so for those not too light on their feet perhaps stay on the cliff walk and avoid the steep decent to the beach. Also be warned that the steps down to the beach close when the tide is in so plan your trip accordingly if you would like to enjoy the beach on your visit. Swimming is not advised due to the strong and unpredictable currents.
Excellent on a sunny day for couples, families, dogs and anyone with an appreciation for nature- look out for butterflies in the summer months especially!
The map location using google maps is accurate for the entrance to the car park where you will be greeted by a member of staff and advised where to park. There is disabled parking as well as an accessible trail to follow too. If you plan to use this perhaps enquire further as I personally didn’t follow this trail so cannot comment on the quality of the trail for wheelchair users in terms of views or steady ness of the trail itself. Other trails can be quite rocky and uneven and there are plenty of steps to navigate so on a summer’s day a bottle of...
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Carnewas at Bedruthan, located on the north Cornish coast between Padstow and Newquay, is a National Trust site renowned for its dramatic clifftop views and iconic rock formations known as the Bedruthan Steps. These towering sea stacks, steeped in local legend, are said to have been used as stepping stones by a giant named Bedruthan. 
Highlights • Clifftop Views: The site offers panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts. • Walking Trails: Several walking routes are available, including a 4.5-mile moderate walk along the coast path towards Park Head and Porth Mear cove. Shorter trails, like the 1-mile Park Head walk, provide easier options with equally stunning views.  • Wildlife and Flora: In spring and autumn, the area is adorned with wildflowers such as squill, and birdwatchers can spot species like stonechats and linnets.  • Tea-room and Shop: Visitors can enjoy light refreshments at the on-site tea-room (not operated by the National Trust) and browse local gifts in the shop, which occupies a building from the site’s mining past. 
Important Information • Beach Access: The steps leading down to Bedruthan beach are currently closed due to a rockfall and will remain inaccessible for the foreseeable future.  • Facilities: Parking is available in the main car park, and there are toilets on-site (availability may vary). 
For more details, including opening times and seasonal information, visit the National Trust’s official page for Carnewas...
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I’m totally torn about writing this!
My son had never been to Bedruthen Steps, so off we took to visit. It’s a long time since I last came to Bedruthen, once maybe in the last 11-14 years and then once or twice as a child. I have such a fond memory of going down those rickety steps and spending a limited amount of time on the beach before having to head off again before the tide stranded you! I even checked the tide timetable to make sure we could make the most of our visit, and left behind our buggy-laden relatives!
I should have done a little more research before we left. You can no longer access the beach itself due to a landfall in December 2019 and again in January 2021.
While it looks like the National Trust is looking to reinstate some access to the beach, it doesn’t look like it’ll be a quick process, and ironically given my own feelings of disappointment yesterday, I sort of hope there never will be!
The beach resets every single time the tide comes in and out because of the nature of the cove, but to stand above and look down at the pristine conditions and how naturalised it has become without any human interaction, makes me torn that although yes, I would love to take my own child down to the beach and hope he loved it as much as I did, I would also love if it was never open again to the public.
I would like to say though that there is now wheelchair/pram access to some of the cliff tops (see photo of map) and plenty of coastal paths for everyone to enjoy the...
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