the classic guide

A guide to the West Country from the people that know…

Bedruthan Steps Beach

This dramatic beach takes its name from the slate outcrops that litter it, said to have been put there by a giant, Bedruthan, and used as stepping stones. At low tide, the sand stretches for over a mile, but watch out for the tide coming in - there is potential for being cut off.

5 Stars

Oct 2022

Steps no longer there

Great walks along the cliffs and lovely views of the beaches below.

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5 Stars

Jun 2012

We were there in early season and there were very few people on the beach: it felt really wild and pristine. The best time to visit is shortly before low tide, when access to the various parts of the beach is easiest.
Beware: there are 150 (steep) steps going down, but at least double that number coming back up!

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5 Stars

Apr 2012

Best cream tea

Walk along the cliffs above Bedruthan steps for stunning views and crashing waves. If the tide is right you can add a walk along the dramatic sandy beach. The tearoom at the National Trust car park at Carnewas served the best cream tea of our holiday - fresh, melt in your mouth scones. Yummy! If you are an NT member the parking is free and right at the cliff edge for starting your walk.

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5 Stars

Aug 2011

Bedruthan Steps

Probably the most fantastic sandy beach I've been on. Amazing and well worth the climb down. I have Fibromyalgia, a painful muscle/joint condition, but I could not resist going down onto this beach and I was very glad I did. It was overcast when we started the descent but the sun came out for a while. I would imagine the beach would be like paradise on a warm sunny day as it was when overcast!!! There wasn't many people on the beach which added to the feel. Lots of warm pools everywhere, beautiful rocks and little caves. Dramatic and wild. My husband, 21 yr old son and 2 teenage daughters loved it. We had a snack in the lovely tea room at the top that had an extensive menu for such a small cafe and lovely coffee. Really enjoyed the day. It was worth the pain of coming back up, but I did so slowly in my own time. I would definately do it again. It would be very hard for anyone more disabled than me though.

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5 Stars

Jun 2011

Dramatic and beautiful

We visited Bedruthan Steps on a windy and overcast day, parking at the National Trust carpark and following the paths across the heathland to the clifftop. Our 3yr old daughter was just entranced by the rocks and swore that she saw a mermaid...
As the tide was in we didn't climb down the steps, and wouldn't have attempted it with our daughter, but just seeing the amazing rocks and cliffs from the viewing spots at the cliffedge was enough.

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