This short video was filmed in one of my favourite places to visit in Cornwall – Boscastle, a village known for its natural harbour, steep-sided valley and long maritime history. Set within the rugged scenery of North Cornwall, Boscastle has a character quite different from the softer landscapes found further west. The cliffs are taller, the valley narrows sharply as it reaches the sea and the entrance to the harbour forms a distinctive, almost funnel-like shape between two large headlands. It is one of Cornwall’s most recognisable coastal settlements and has been shaped over centuries by fishing, trade and the forces of the Atlantic.
Modern Boscastle is best known for its picturesque layout and the quality of the surrounding landscape, but the village has also become part of recent history because of the 2004 flood. A sudden and extreme rainfall event caused the river to swell so rapidly that buildings, vehicles and sections of road were swept away. The recovery and rebuilding effort significantly changed the lower part of the village, improving flood management while keeping its historic character intact. Today, the harbour area feels calm and welcoming, and it remains a popular place for walkers exploring the North Cornwall coast.
The walk shown in the video begins near the main car park, which sits at the base of the valley and provides the easiest access to the riverside path. From there, the route follows the River Valency downstream towards the harbour. In autumn the trees along the valley tend to hold onto their leaves a little longer than in more exposed parts of Cornwall, so the colours can be warm and varied. On this particular day the weather had that typical late-season mix of bright clarity and shifting cloud cover. The air felt cool and crisp, with moments of autumn sun lighting up the landscape before fading into softer, grey tones.
The path leads gently towards the harbour, passing a mixture of traditional cottages, stone buildings and the well-known National Trust shop housed in the old smithy. These structures sit close to the river, which helps give Boscastle its enclosed, sheltered atmosphere. Unlike some of Cornwall’s wider river estuaries, the Valency is narrow and fast-flowing, especially after rain. This sound of running water is always present as you walk through the village and is part of what makes Boscastle feel so distinctive.
As the video continues, the scenery opens slightly, revealing the inlet that leads out towards the Atlantic. The two protective harbour walls curve around the entrance, guiding incoming swells and creating a narrow passageway that has challenged sailors for centuries. Even on calmer days, the sea here often has more movement compared to beaches further down the coast. The combination of steep cliffs and an exposed entrance means that waves are almost always working their way into the harbour mouth.
During this visit, the tide was pushing in with a steady rhythm, creating rolling waves that broke against the rocks outside the harbour walls. The sound of the wind increased closer to the sea, and the contrast between the sheltered valley and the open coastline became more noticeable. These conditions made it a good opportunity to film the changing surface of the water, the shifting clouds overhead and the long view out across the mouth of the harbour.
The outer harbour walls are built from large stone blocks and date back several centuries, though they have been repaired and reinforced many times. Their shape and position reflect the need to protect boats from strong Atlantic swells. In earlier periods Boscastle was an important trading port, receiving goods such as limestone and coal and exporting locally quarried slate. The remains of these industries can still be seen in the form of old buildings, quays and pathways around the valley.
The video continues past the inner harbour and towards the foot of the cliffs, where the landscape becomes more rugged. From here the path begins to climb, offering views back towards the village and out across the sea. Although this video focuses mainly on the harbour area, the surrounding coastline is part of the South West Coast Path and provides access to some excellent viewpoints. On a clear day you can look east towards Crackington Haven or west towards Tintagel, with the high cliffs giving a sense of scale to the expanse of the North Cornish coast.
On this autumn walk, the weather shifted between bright sunlight and darker clouds moving quickly overhead. These changes created pockets of contrasting light on the cliffs, the water and the village itself. Boscastle often looks particularly good in conditions like this, where the landscape feels crisp and defined. The wind moving through the valley added another layer to the atmosphere, making it a day that felt energetic without being severe.
After filming the harbour from several angles, the walk made its way back into the village. Even outside the main season, Boscastle has a quiet charm. The sound of the river, the narrow streets and the backdrop of the steep valley create a sense of enclosure that is rare in many Cornish coastal locations. It is a place that rewards slow visits, whether for a short riverside stroll or a longer coastal walk out onto the cliffs.
This short video aims to capture the feel of Boscastle on an autumn day—clear, cool, slightly unsettled, but always full of visual interest. The mix of historic buildings, natural landscape and the constant presence of the sea make it a location that is easy to return to throughout the year.
As with many places in Cornwall, each season brings something different to the scene, and autumn in particular highlights the textures and colours that often go unnoticed during the busier summer months.
