The surrounding area

 The countryside immediately surrounding the cottage is very special. So much so that, like the cottage itself, it enjoys legal protections of its own. Here are the protections afforded to the area the cottage is nestled in amongst: 

- A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) runs along an area of the coast that includes the Boscastle area at one end and Widemouth at the other. The area is protected from development as it is an important habitat for plants and animals and is significant geologically.  

- A Special Area of Conservation surrounds Boscastle and is an area covered by EU law. Always within an existing SSSI, a Special Area of Conservation is set where it is felt certain wildlife habitats and species require additional protections.  

- The north Cornwall coast, from Rump’s Point in the south to almost Widemouth in the north, with Boscastle almost exactly in the middle, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which demands that local authorities preserve or enhance the area's natural beauty. The listing cites the area’s unspoilt rugged coast encompassing the highest cliffs in Cornwall.  

- Boscastle Harbour is within a Conservation Area which is designed to protect special historic and architectural interest and of particular interest are the harbour walls dating back to 1584.  

The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest waymarked footpath, starting at Minehead in Somerset, further up the coast, and finishing all the way round the foot of Cornwall and along the south coast to Poole in Dorset. From the cottage you can walk 1.2 miles north-east to Pentagon Waterfall or four miles south-west to the famous town of Tintagel. Alternatively, you can walk 13 miles along the coast to Widemouth Bay; or 617 miles to Poole. Feel free to borrow the walking poles in the cottage!

All along your walk in either direction you can enjoy unspoilt, natural beauty and, if you're lucky, the varied wildlife including sea otters, dolphins and the occasional passing whale.