Want a coastal walk with a proper pub at the end? You’ll find the best pubs on the south west coast path on short loops, such as Zennor and Porthcurno.
This guide is one part of the wider look at cornish pubs across the county, from harbour inns to moorland hideaways.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Length of the South West Coast Path | 630 miles |
| Managed pubs St Austell Brewery lists across Cornwall | 26 managed pubs |
| Zennor to St Ives walk | 6.5 miles, 3-4 hours |
| Porthcurno to Penberth Cove circular | 3 miles, 2-3 hours |
| Mylor Bridge to Restronguet Creek walk | 4 miles, 2-3 hours |
The figures above come from St Austell Brewery’s coast path blog and Classic Cottages’ guide to walks with pubs. Distances, times and pub details can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
Planning a pub walk on the coast path
The South West Coast Path is a 630-mile trail that hugs the coastline, so almost any stretch of Cornwall has a pub within reach. St Austell Brewery says it has 26 managed pubs across the county, from the Isles of Scilly to Fowey, and its blog points to many near the path.
Think in short loops rather than long stages. Forever Cornwall lists a two-mile West Pentire circular, while Classic Cottages rates its 6.5-mile Zennor to St Ives walk as moderate to challenging. Each route in this guide has a pub at the start, the halfway point or the finish.
Season matters too. Forever Cornwall’s round-up is pitched at winter, when it says nothing beats sinking into a fireside armchair with a local ale after time spent battling the elements on the Cornish coast.
- Use the bus. Walkers on the Zennor to St Ives route can catch the bus back to Zennor from St Ives.
- Pace the pints. One walker’s write-up says serious ale consumption and a long walk don’t mix well.
- Expect hills. The Zennor to St Ives stretch is rated moderate to challenging, with some steep climbs.
- Check dog rules. Dogs aren’t allowed on the Penberth Cove slipway at any time of year.
West Penwith: Zennor, Gurnard’s Head and Porthcurno
Zennor is the classic starting point. The Tinners Arms has been harbouring travellers and walkers for over 700 years, according to Classic Cottages, and it is cleverly placed next to the footpath.
The full Zennor to St Ives walk is 6.5 miles and takes 3-4 hours. It is rated moderate to challenging with some steep climbs, so save the roast for the end.
A shorter option is the 4.5-mile walk from Zennor to The Gurnard’s Head. One walker, writing for The Cornish Way, called the coastal part tough, the stroll back easy, and the whole outing a 2-hour affair with stops. The same write-up says lunch at the pub is not cheap but is usually very good.
The Gurnard’s Head is a former coaching inn dating back to the 1800s, according to Cornish Holiday Cottages’ guide. It stands near the coast path between St Ives and St Just, and the same guide notes unreliable mobile reception there.
Further west, the Porthcurno to Penberth Cove circular is 3 miles and takes 2-3 hours, rated moderate by Classic Cottages. It passes a WW2 bunker and Logan Rock before a short walk inland to The Logan Rock Inn, which welcomes dogs and serves plenty of local ales.
South Cornwall: creeks, coves and the Lizard
The Pandora Inn is a 13th-century thatched pub sitting right on the water at Restronguet Creek, according to Forever Cornwall. That guide describes a three-and-a-half-mile walk from Mylor Bridge, while Classic Cottages gives 4 miles, an easy 2-3 hours, and calls the pub dog-friendly. Expect creekside paths rather than open cliffs.
On the Lizard, the walk from Cadgwith Cove is a 7-mile circular that passes the Devil’s Frying Pan and reaches Lizard Point, the mainland’s most southerly spot. Afterwards, the Cadgwith Cove Inn sits a stone’s throw from the beach, with Cornish ales and sea shanties on Friday evenings, says Forever Cornwall.
A few more south coast stops, from the same two guides:
- The Shipwrights Arms at Helford, on the banks of the river, as a finish to a loop through the valley and Frenchman’s Creek.
- The Rising Sun at St Mawes, which St Austell Brewery describes as just steps from the coast path, with a ferry on to Falmouth and the Chain Locker on the quayside.
- The Punchbowl and Ladle near Feock, a thatched pub that the same blog says has a live pianist on Sundays.
North Cornwall: Tintagel, Port Gaverne and Crantock
For a big day out, Countryfile lists an 8-mile Trebarwith to Boscastle route past Tintagel’s castle. The Port William sits above Trebarwith Strand, with sea views, according to St Austell Brewery, so it is a handy stop near that route’s start.
Further along the coast, Forever Cornwall describes a six-mile heart-thumper from Port Isaac via Port Gaverne to Cartway Cove. You finish at the Port Gaverne Hotel and Restaurant, just off the beach.
If you only want a short stroll, the West Pentire circular is two miles and visits Porth Joke and Crantock beaches. Both are dog-friendly year-round, and the walk ends at the historic Bowgie Inn. Go back in June, when the same guide says the fields are bursting with poppies and corn marigolds.
If a pub’s backstory matters as much as its beer, the guide to haunted pubs in cornwall is a good next read.
Easier days for families and dogs
Not every pub walk needs boots and a head for heights. For more ideas with children in tow, the guide to family friendly pubs in cornwall is a good place to start.
- Porthcurno to Penberth Cove: Classic Cottages picks it as best for a family-friendly circular.
- Mousehole to Lamorna Cove: an easy walk that hugs the sea the whole way, ending at The Old Coastguard, which Forever Cornwall calls dog and family-friendly.
- Penzance to Newlyn circular: a wheelchair and buggy-friendly route that finishes at The Mexico Inn, with local Cornish ales.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the South West Coast Path?
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St Austell Brewery’s blog describes it as a 630-mile trail that hugs the coastline. You don’t need to walk it all to enjoy a pub stop, since short loops work well.
Can I get the bus back after walking from Zennor to St Ives?
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Classic Cottages says you can catch the bus back to Zennor from St Ives. Check current timetables before you set off, as services change.
Are dogs welcome in these pubs?
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Several are: the Tinners Arms, The Logan Rock Inn and the Pandora Inn are all described as welcoming dogs by Classic Cottages. Rules can vary inside each pub, so ask when you arrive, and remember dogs aren’t allowed on the Penberth Cove slipway.
Which pub walk is the shortest?
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The West Pentire circular is the shortest in this guide at two miles, according to Forever Cornwall. It visits two beaches and finishes at the Bowgie Inn.
