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Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England — Scenic
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Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension

England

Point-to-point
Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay Sennen to Land’s End

In short: Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension is a About 220 km scenic road trip in England, typically driven over 4 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay, Newquay to St Ives, St Michael’s Mount and Sennen.

Distance
About 220 km
Duration
4 days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

A four-day route that follows the classic A39 Atlantic Highway to Newquay, then transparently continues through St Ives to Mount’s Bay and Land’s End.

Practical notes
The classic A39 portion ends around Newquay/Fraddon; days two to four are a mapped West Cornwall extension. Prebook Tintagel and St Michael’s Mount. For the Mount, use its official date-specific causeway/boat schedule, paid mainland parking and same-day weather status; boats normally provide high-tide access in season. Coastal paths are steep and exposed: use boots, keep to one named short section and replace cliff stops in storms or poor visibility.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay

Bude Sea Pool · Prebooked Tintagel Castle · Boscastle Farm Shop & Café

Day 2Newquay to St Ives

St Ives and Tate St Ives · Porthminster Kitchen

Day 3St Michael’s Mount and Sennen

Prebooked St Michael’s Mount · Sennen Cove · The Godolphin

Day 4Sennen to Land’s End

Sennen Cove–Land’s End coast-path section · The First and Last Inn

Stops along the route

Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay — Departure — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Departure
Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay
The A39 stage begins at Barnstaple and ends around Newquay/Fraddon before the separately disclosed West Cornwall extension.
Sennen to Land’s End — Arrival — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Arrival
Sennen to Land’s End
Short named coast-path finale.

Things to Do

Bude Sea Pool — Coast — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Coast
Bude Sea Pool
Use a short weather-safe stop.
Prebooked Tintagel Castle — Castle — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Castle
Prebooked Tintagel Castle
Choose Tintagel as the major attraction; Boscastle is only a short alternative.
St Ives and Tate St Ives — Town and museum — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Town and museum
St Ives and Tate St Ives
Use edge parking/park-and-ride and give the town its own day.
Prebooked St Michael’s Mount — Tidal island — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Tidal island
Prebooked St Michael’s Mount
Follow the official causeway/boat times and same-day closure status.
Sennen Cove — Coast — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Coast
Sennen Cove
Add a relaxed beach/viewpoint only if conditions remain safe.
Sennen Cove–Land’s End coast-path section — Named coastal walk — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Named coastal walk
Sennen Cove–Land’s End coast-path section
Walk only this short named exposed section in suitable weather, with footwear and return transport plan.

Where to Eat

Boscastle Farm Shop & Café — Cornish café — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Cornish café
Boscastle Farm Shop & Café
Use the exact corridor lunch and verify current hours.
The Fish House Fistral — Cornish seafood — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Cornish seafood
The Fish House Fistral
Reserve/check the exact Newquay dinner near the overnight.
Porthminster Kitchen — Cornish seafood — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Cornish seafood
Porthminster Kitchen
Reserve/check the exact St Ives dinner.
The Godolphin — Cornish — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Cornish
The Godolphin
Reserve/check the exact Marazion meal around the crossing schedule.
The First and Last Inn — Cornish pub — Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension — England
Cornish pub
The First and Last Inn
Use the exact Sennen-area meal and verify current service.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension drive?

The Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension covers About 220 km from start to finish.

How long does the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension?

The recommended season for the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension is May–Sep.

Where does the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension start and end?

The Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension runs from Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay to Sennen to Land’s End.

What are the main stops on the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension?

The Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension passes through Barnstaple to Bude, Tintagel and Newquay, Newquay to St Ives, St Michael’s Mount and Sennen.

How difficult is the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension to drive?

The Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension in a regular car?

Yes — the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension EV friendly?

Yes — the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension safe to drive?

The classic A39 portion ends around Newquay/Fraddon; days two to four are a mapped West Cornwall extension. Prebook Tintagel and St Michael’s Mount. For the Mount, use its official date-specific causeway/boat schedule, paid mainland parking and same-day weather status; boats normally provide high-tide access in season. Coastal paths are steep and exposed: use boots, keep to one named short section and replace cliff stops in storms or poor visibility.

What scenic tier is the Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension?

The Atlantic Highway and West Cornwall Extension is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.