Boscastle
A small stone harbour in a deep valley, home to Britain's best-known witchcraft and magic museum, and the setting of Hardy's 'Valency Valley'.
Boscastle is a small harbour village about 5 km east of Tintagel. A winding natural fjord leads to the sea, and a 16th-century stone breakwater protects the little harbour. A National Trust coastal path on the cliffs overlooks the harbour entrance. The village's Museum of Witchcraft and Magic holds thousands of folk magic objects, making it highly unusual.
Upstream, the Valency Valley is where the novelist Thomas Hardy courted his wife. In 2004 the village was hit by a severe flash flood, and it has since been fully rebuilt. It pairs well with a day visit to Tintagel Castle.
Opening hours
Open all day; museum approx. Mar–Nov