Explore Boscastle Harbour & The Blowhole
Key details
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Location: Boscastle Harbour, North Cornwall
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Best Time to Visit: Low tide with a moderate swell to see the blowhole in action
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Terrain: Level walking along the harbour quays, though the outer breakwater can be slippery and exposed
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Website: National Trust Boscastle
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Google Maps: Boscastle Harbour
Boscastle is home to one of the most distinctive natural harbours in the British Isles. Unlike most Cornish ports that sit in wide bays, Boscastle is tucked into a narrow, winding “S” shape ravine where the Valency and Jordan rivers meet the Atlantic.
This unique geography has protected ships for centuries, though the entrance remains famously treacherous during a swell.
As you walk along the harbour’s rugged stone quays, you can see the massive granite walls built to withstand the force of the ocean. The harbour is still a working port for local fishermen, and a stroll here allows you to see the traditional lobster pots and small boats that navigate the narrow channel daily.
The Boscastle Blowhole
One of the most fascinating natural features of the harbour is the Boscastle Blowhole, located on the outer side of the harbour wall near the entrance. Known locally as “The Devil’s Bellows,” the blowhole is a horizontal fissure in the cliff side.
When the tide is at the right height (usually an hour or two either side of low water) and there is a sufficient swell, the sea is forced into the cave, compressing air and water until it erupts in a massive jet of white spray across the harbour entrance. It is often accompanied by a distinct “boom” and a large mist.
When the conditions are right you’ll be surprised how entertaining it is to just sit on the rocks and watch the blowhole in action. If you have got this far you may wish to continue further up the coast path to the Willapark Lookout – if you are lucky you might spot some of the semi-wild ponies that often graze up there – learn more here.
Video
Take a wintery walk around Boscastle – March 2025.