News
Posted 19/05/2008
Bedruthan Steps is named one of county's best in new guide
A landmark Newquay beach has been chosen as one of the 100 best coastal spots in the country.
Bedruthan Steps has been described as one of the most spectacular sections of the North Cornish coast in Time Out's new seaside guide.The respected travel guide company chose to feature Bedruthan Steps alongside other renowned spots including Sennen Cove, Kynance Cove, Dorset's Chesil Beach and Southwold Beach in Suffolk.
The guide highlights the beach's outcrop of volcanic rock jutting from the cliffs, which can be walked between at low tide.
The difficult steep steps which descend onto Bedruthan Steps and its limited tidal access has ensured the beach's remoteness and magic has been maintained.
It describes the beach as taking Cornwall's 'cragginess' to extremes.
"The beach plays second fiddle to towering rock stacks, each one a talking point," says the guide.
"Some are chiselled and pointy like pyramids, others resemble barnacle-encrusted turrets. Legend says they were once the stepping stones of a giant. It's easy to feel small and insignificant in such a dramatic landscape - one of the wildest beaches of the West Country, just up the coast of Newquay."
The section was written by Hayley Spurway, a freelance writer from Cornwall.
She said: "First of all Bedruthan Steps' rock formations are unique, a bit like the UK's version of Australia's 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road.
"Not only are they staggering to look at, but they also illustrate the fragility of the coastline as they change shape and size from being battered by the elements - such as Queen Bess rock losing its crown in 1980.
"Not only its fragility shows the forces of nature at play, but standing beneath the rock formations you are absolutely dwarfed by the power of the landscape, the crashing waves and the craggy towers of rock, it is simply immense.
"Also, Bedruthan is rich in history. The area is notorious for shipwrecks of the past, and on the cliffs you can still see the remains of an Iron Age Fort.
"Bedruthan is the sort of beach that stands out purely for its wild beauty, making it completely different from the surfing and family beaches neighbouring Newquay is renowned for.
"However, despite its difficult, steep steps and limited access by the weather and the tides it still draws all types of visitors that can enjoy it from the clifftops, where there's a National Trust cafe, plenty of parking and an easy-access footpath to the viewpoint."
Source: Newquay Guardian, May 14th 2008
