RoadAtlas
The Atlantic Highway — England — Scenic
Europe

The Atlantic Highway

England

In short: The Atlantic Highway is a 240 km scenic road trip in England, typically driven over 2–3 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Barnstaple, Bude, Boscastle.

Distance
240 km
Duration
2–3 days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

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.

Practical notes
The A39 is a standard coastal trunk road, but it narrows through villages and picks up slow traffic in summer, especially around Bude, Newquay, and St Ives. Expect hedges, blind bends, and limited parking at the popular stops; check tide times for harbour and beach access, and allow extra time in wet, windy weather.
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Stops along the route

Barnstaple — Departure — The Atlantic Highway — England
Departure
Barnstaple
North Devon's market town at the Taw estuary. Gateway to Croyde Bay surf and the start of the A39 Atlantic Highway.
Hotels
Boscastle — City — The Atlantic Highway — England
City
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.
Hotels
Newquay — City — The Atlantic Highway — England
City
Newquay
England's surf capital. Fistral Beach hosts international competitions; the headland above town gives views up the entire Atlantic-facing coast.
Hotels
St Ives — City — The Atlantic Highway — England
City
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.
Hotels
Land's End — Arrival — The Atlantic Highway — England
Arrival
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.
Hotels

Things to Do

Bude — Nature — The Atlantic Highway — England
Nature
Bude
Cornwall's surf frontier. Summerleaze Beach has a 1930 tidal pool carved from the rock; Crooklets draws bodyboarders year-round.
Tintagel Castle — Landmark — The Atlantic Highway — England
Landmark
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.
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic — Museum — The Atlantic Highway — England
Museum
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Explores the history of witchcraft with an extensive collection of artifacts.
South West Coast Path — Hike — The Atlantic Highway — England
Hike
South West Coast Path
Scenic trail offering breathtaking views of Cornwall's rugged coastline.
Tintagel Castle — Historic Site — The Atlantic Highway — England
Historic Site
Tintagel Castle
Legendary ruins linked to King Arthur, perched on dramatic cliffs.

Where to Eat

The Riverside Restaurant — Seafood — The Atlantic Highway — England
Seafood
The Riverside Restaurant
Offers fresh, locally sourced seafood in a charming riverside setting.
The Wellington Hotel — British — The Atlantic Highway — England
British
The Wellington Hotel
Historic hotel serving traditional British dishes with a modern twist.
Boscastle Farm Shop & Café — Café — The Atlantic Highway — England
Café
Boscastle Farm Shop & Café
Serves homemade cakes and light lunches with panoramic coastal views.

Explore related routes

England road trips Iconic Scenic Coastal DrivesHistoric Road TripsEV Road TripsWeekend Drives Europe routes

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the The Atlantic Highway drive?

The The Atlantic Highway covers 240 km from start to finish.

How long does the The Atlantic Highway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2–3 days on the The Atlantic Highway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the The Atlantic Highway?

The recommended season for the The Atlantic Highway is May–Sep.

Where does the The Atlantic Highway start and end?

The The Atlantic Highway runs from Barnstaple to Land's End.

What are the main stops on the The Atlantic Highway?

The The Atlantic Highway passes through Barnstaple, Bude, Boscastle.

Can I drive the The Atlantic Highway in a regular car?

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

Is the The Atlantic Highway EV friendly?

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

Is the The Atlantic Highway safe to drive?

The A39 is a standard coastal trunk road, but it narrows through villages and picks up slow traffic in summer, especially around Bude, Newquay, and St Ives. Expect hedges, blind bends, and limited parking at the popular stops; check tide times for harbour and beach access, and allow extra time in wet, windy weather.

What scenic tier is the The Atlantic Highway?

The The Atlantic Highway 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.