The Atlantic Highway
England
England's wildest coast, the A39 Atlantic Highway from Barnstaple through the cliffs of Cornwall to the A30's end at Fraddon. King Arthur's Tintagel above the churning Celtic Sea, the fishing village of Boscastle, Newquay's surf beaches, St Ives' Tate gallery above the harbour, and Land's End's granite edge where England runs out. The Atlantic shore of Britain at its most dramatic and most mythological.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Barnstaple
North Devon's market town at the Taw estuary. Gateway to Croyde Bay surf and the start of the A39 Atlantic Highway.
- Bude
Cornwall's surf frontier. Summerleaze Beach has a 1930 tidal pool carved from the rock; Crooklets draws bodyboarders year-round.
- Boscastle
A medieval harbour folded into a steep wooded valley. Destroyed by flash flood in 2004 and rebuilt; the Museum of Witchcraft is England's largest.
- Tintagel Castle
Ruined 13th-century castle on a cliff-girt island above the crashing Atlantic, legendarily King Arthur's birthplace. Merlin's Cave lies below.
- Newquay
England's surf capital. Fistral Beach hosts international competitions; the headland above town gives views up the entire Atlantic-facing coast.
- St Ives
Artists' harbour town. The Tate St Ives sits above Porthmeor Beach; the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden fills a cottage studio with bronze forms.
- Land's End
England's westernmost point. The Longships Lighthouse stands 2 km offshore; on clear days the Isles of Scilly appear 45 km to the south-west.
Where to Eat
- The Riverside RestaurantSeafood
Offers fresh, locally sourced seafood in a charming riverside setting.
- The Wellington HotelBritish
Historic hotel serving traditional British dishes with a modern twist.
- Boscastle Farm Shop & CaféCafé
Serves homemade cakes and light lunches with panoramic coastal views.
Things to Do
- Museum of Witchcraft and MagicMuseum
Explores the history of witchcraft with an extensive collection of artifacts.
- South West Coast PathHike
Scenic trail offering breathtaking views of Cornwall's rugged coastline.
- Tintagel CastleHistoric Site
Legendary ruins linked to King Arthur, perched on dramatic cliffs.