Explore North Cornwall’s Rugged Coast with Convenient Places to Stay
The South West Coast Path from Bude to Newquay follows a striking stretch of North Cornwall’s coastline, known for its rugged cliffs, powerful Atlantic views, and wide sandy beaches. Beginning in the coastal town of Bude, the route heads south along dramatic headlands and quieter coves, with constant changes in elevation that make this section both challenging and rewarding.
Walkers will encounter a mix of terrain, including narrow cliff-top paths, grassy coastal sections, and occasional steep descents into secluded bays before climbing back up to the headlands. This part of the coast is particularly exposed, offering expansive sea views and a strong sense of remoteness in places, while also passing through popular spots such as Tintagel and Padstow, adding historical and cultural interest along the way.
The route finishes in Newquay, one of Cornwall’s best-known seaside towns, where a wide choice of accommodation and amenities provides a convenient and comfortable base to rest and explore further. This section delivers classic North Cornwall scenery and a memorable coastal walking experience.
- Previous section: South West Coast Path – Porlock to Bude
- Next section: Newquay to Penzance Coastal Trail
Route map and nearby hotels
Elevation profile
The chart shows the route from start to finish. If a hotel has been selected, its nearest position on the route is shown as a highlighted marker.
Accessibility
This route is suitable for WalkersAbout the Terrain
Difficulty: 🟠 Moderate
This section of the South West Coast Path from Bude to Newquay is graded as moderate to challenging, with frequent ascents and descents along the rugged North Cornwall coastline. The path is generally clear and well waymarked, but terrain can be uneven, including rocky sections, grassy cliff-top paths, and steep steps in and out of coastal valleys.
There are no technical climbing sections, but the constant changes in elevation can be physically demanding over longer distances. Some stretches are exposed to the elements, with strong coastal winds and rapidly changing weather possible. The route is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, or cyclists, and is best suited to walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and appropriate footwear.
Along the route, a range of hotels, inns, and B&Bs can be found in coastal towns and villages, allowing walkers to break the journey into manageable stages with convenient overnight stops.
The route shown is intended to give a general sense of how nearby accommodation is positioned in relation to the walk, helping you gauge proximity rather than providing a detailed navigation guide. While the map outlines the route, it should be viewed as an overview only and may not reflect every turn, feature, or on-the-ground condition you may encounter.
For the walk itself, it is advisable to use a reliable map and/or an electronic navigation aid to assist with route finding, particularly in areas where paths may be less distinct or conditions change. Taking time to plan ahead, check local information, and prepare for varying terrain and weather will help ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Selected hotel
Select a hotel from the list to highlight its location on the route and see where it sits on the elevation profile.
Hotels along this walking trail
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.01 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.02 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Trevose Head Lighthouse, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Wadebridge, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.03 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Porth, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Trevose Head Lighthouse, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.04 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.05 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.06 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.07 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.07 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.07 miles from the route
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Mawgan Porth, Cornwall - 0.07 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.07 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.08 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.08 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.09 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.09 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.09 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.1 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.11 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.12 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.12 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.12 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.12 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.12 miles from the route
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New Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.13 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.13 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.13 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 0.13 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.13 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.14 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.14 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.14 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.14 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Porth, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.15 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.16 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.16 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.16 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.17 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.18 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.19 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.19 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.2 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.2 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.21 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.22 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.22 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.22 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.22 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.23 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.23 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.24 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.25 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.25 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.26 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.26 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.26 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.26 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.26 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.27 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.27 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.27 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.28 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.28 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.29 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.29 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.29 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.3 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.32 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.32 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.34 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.34 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.35 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.35 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.35 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.36 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.36 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.37 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.38 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.39 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.4 miles from the route
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Crackington Haven, Cornwall - 0.4 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.41 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.42 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.42 miles from the route
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Wadebridge, Cornwall - 0.42 miles from the route
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Boscastle, Cornwall - 0.43 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.44 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.44 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.45 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.47 miles from the route
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Tintagel, Cornwall - 0.47 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.48 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.52 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 0.53 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.55 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.55 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.56 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.56 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.58 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.61 miles from the route
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St Columb, Cornwall - 0.69 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.7 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.74 miles from the route
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St Minver, Cornwall - 0.8 miles from the route
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Crackington Haven, Cornwall - 0.81 miles from the route
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Wadebridge, Cornwall - 0.83 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.84 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.87 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.9 miles from the route
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Newquay, Cornwall - 0.91 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.93 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 0.93 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.94 miles from the route
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St Minver, Cornwall - 0.95 miles from the route
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St Merryn, Cornwall - 0.95 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.98 miles from the route
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Polzeath, Cornwall - 0.99 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 1.02 miles from the route
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St Merryn, Cornwall - 1.05 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 1.06 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 1.07 miles from the route
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Delabole, Cornwall - 1.1 miles from the route
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Padstow, Cornwall - 1.13 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 1.2 miles from the route
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Port Isaac, Cornwall - 1.2 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 1.26 miles from the route
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Wadebridge, Cornwall - 1.39 miles from the route
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Bude, Cornwall - 1.44 miles from the route