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Speciality Walking Holidays Gourmet, Ale and Activity Trails

Encounter Walking specialise in tailor made breaks so along with your walking we can build itineraries around whatever is most important to you, be it Gourmet Dining, outdoor activities, sightseeing or historical site visits or just real ale fuelled wanders. Just let us know your ideal mix and we can let you know what’s possible and create a draft itinerary for you to consider.

Below are some of the options we operate regularly but feel free to suggest your own!

Coast Path Eating Experience

The North Cornwall coast from Padstow to Newquay covers 28 miles of superb walking with long golden sands, dramatic cliffs such as Bedruthan Steps and these days the culinary centre of the West Country in Padstow and nearby Watergate Bay.

Day 1  Eating at Rick Steins

In Padstow everyone knows about Rick Stein, enjoy the chance to eat at his world renowned seafood restaurant, book a session in the cookery school and stock up on tomorrows packed lunch from his patisserie and delicatessen – it’s a food connoisseur’s heaven here.

If you want to push the boat out there are even several luxury accommodation options run by the Chef. Padstow itself is a joy to spend some time in (even when not eating !) with a cosmopolitan feel to its compact harbour along with golden sands a short ferry ride away in Rock. If you want a gentle pedal the Camel Trail starts yards from the seafood restaurant, up to 18 miles of traffic free paths with stunning views as you head inland up the Camel Estuary towards Bodmin.

Day 2 Walk from Padstow to Porthcothan - Eating at Jamie Olivers 15 Restaurant

So you need to work off last night’s fine food. Highlights today include the rocky Stepper Point Promontory, the bizarre round hole of Trevone, golden surfing beaches at Trevone, Harlyn and Constantine and the walk out to the wild point at Trevose Head Lighthouse. CLICK HERE to read the full day’s route description for a day’s walking on the award winning South West Coast Path. 

The recommended overnight is close by at Watergate Bay in one of Cornwall’s most sought after locations above a 3 mile run of sands, caves and cliffs. The Watergate Bay Hotel is one of Cornwall’s best with breathtaking views from the terrace and many of the rooms which look over the towering cliffs and along the famous sands of Watergate.

Here you will find your next eating experience at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant overlooking the surfers and the boarders playing on the waves below this fantastic restaurant. Enjoy a taster menu with a selection of Jamie Oliver dishes - we love this place so don’t rush it as the atmosphere and the view is fantastic. What’s more all profits from the restaurant go into Jamie Olivers 15 Foundation which provides apprenticeships  and support for local unemployed youngsters to be trained in creating high cuisine at the restaurant – an important scheme in an area that very often only offers seasonal tourist work to those without formal qualifications.  What with this AND having walked here you can truly eat the best food with a clean conscience.

Day 3   Walk from Porthcothan to Newquay - Eating at one of Newquay's Best Restaurants

Walking the next day from Porthcothan onto Newquay the route includes the iconic rocky stacks of Bedruthan Steps and when you descend from the cliff tops,  the stunning beaches and surf at Mawgan Porth and Watergate. CLICK HERE to read the full day’s route description

Tonight spend your last night eating (and staying if you wish)  at Newquay’s  4* Headland Hotel with a fantastic location on its own wave lashed promontory.  You may recognise the place it was the isolated hotel location for The Witches adapted from Roald Dahls book.  Or if you prefer to go for a more modern  and informal alternative head for the Fistral Blue Bistro for fine dining off the  balconies right above all the action on the UK’s premier surfing beach at Fistral.

Day 4 – Extra ideas if you have the time

If you can stay longer then you can walk the next section of the coast path on to Perranporth, crossing the snake like Gannel Estuary and negotiating sleepy Crantock and the West Pentire Headland ending with a 3 mile romp down the fine Perran Sands resting place of Cornwall’s Patron Saint St Piran. Click Here to read about an additional days walking to Perranporth.

If you prefer a change of activity Newquay is the centre of Cornish Coastal adrenalin sports, try a different approach to getting along the coastline with a session costeering, learn to surf, try sea cliff climbing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, kite boarding and much more at Lusty Glaze Beach the adventure centre with its own private beach and cliff space right in the heart of Newquay.

We can arrange and offer whatever standard of hotel accommodation you want to consider for this trip. You can eat at the restaurants mentioned or as there are plenty of other well rated options in the likes of Padstow you can leave it open and choose your dining yourself. What is certain is that as a walking and eating break you will get your “just deserts” on this route. Fantastic scenery, inspiring walking, the best food and accommodation in the West Country and all in a 3 day break. We can arrange no fuss transfers from public transport, train or plane (Newquay Airport has direct flights from London) and cater for any other activities or plans you may have for your visit.

Click here to send us a quotation form and tell us what your idea eating experience break would  involve and let us draw up a plan and a price for you to consider.

Harbours and Feasts Walk

In the same vein as our Coast Path Eating Experience, the Harbours and Feasts break centres on the more gentle South Coast sections of the Coast Path but offers a wider variety of scenery and overnight locations to your walk. Using exclusive and award winning boutique Hotel accommodation and fine dining options in the Charlestown and Eden area, at Fowey – voted the most desirable place to live in the UK and finishing at the ever popular fishing harbour of Looe.

The walking centres around 2 or 3 days between Charlestown and Looe including the cliffs and hidden coves of Daphne du Mauriers wild Fowey coastline, the medieval fishing village of Polperro, the tall ships harbour in Charlestown and the best days coast walking between Falmouth and Plymouth to the west of Fowey. You are perfectly located to fit in a trip to Eden or the Lost Gardens of Heligan if you have not already been there or we can build in one of our stunning gentle exploration trips up the interior of the River Fowey and into its inland creeks by canoe.

The route blends the best walking on the South Coast with its most respected hotels and restaurants including Nathan Outlaw in Fowey at the Marina Hotel with its Rising 2 Star status in the 2009 Michelin Guide. 

Click Here to view the walking route descriptions from Mevagissey / Charlestown to Looe over 2 or 3 days walking.

Click here to send us a quotation form, tell us what your idea Harbours and Feasts break would include or ask us for the ideas and we will provide ! Our quotation will include all the links so you can view potential accommodation and restaurants as well as find out more about the walking route.

The Lizard Ale Trail

For many real ale and good walking are inseparable and the

Lizard Ale Trail combines a challenging walk around Britain’s southernmost peninsula with the chance to relax at night in welcoming inns and coastal pubs along the way.  We have worked hard to route you into a variety of inn’s and pubs all the way despite the area’s remote location.  Only on one night is it not possible to sleep where you drink but be assured that we have made sure that the local pub is yards from your B&B so the inconvenience is manageable !

Click Here to review the walking which will take you past St Michaels Mount, Lizard Point, Cornwall’s most atmospheric cove at Kynance and then onto the semi tropical wooded creeks and inlets of the Helford estuary. Starting in Penzance and ending in Falmouth you can forget the car if you like with excellent public transport to and from the trail. Enjoy walking tailored to you with a variety of options from  a Relaxed Walkers Itinerary to faster plans for those with more experience searching for a challenge with which to earn their beers.

Overnight inns include options to be sipping your pint whilst overlooking the causeway to St Michaels Mount, to drink alfresco watching the boats arriving on the harbourside at Porthleven. Refuel at the UK’s most southerly pub just short of wild Lizard Point as well as sink into the village inn atmosphere at the fishing village of Coverack or Cadgwith .Before and after the walking you can rally yourselves for more cosmopolitan overnights with plenty of options in the towns of Penzance and Falmouth . Good walking, good food and good beer it’s a simple theme and an uncomplicated walking holiday where the coastline and trail are as much of a reward as that first pint at your welcoming Inn.

Click here to send us a quotation form and receive back a draft itinerary and price detailing the Inn’s and pub options along the route as well as all the walking information you need to make a decision. Finally if you think it safer to book a mix of inns with other hotel or B&B accommodation then just let us know on the form what your ideal holiday would be and we will provide the options for you to consider.

Multi Activity Walking Holidays

For those who want more than just the walking we can provide a variety of options  for non walking or “rest” days, from sedate leg stretching  to adrenalin fuelled challenges . Have a look at the following example to see the kind of options open to those who want a bit more of a mix of activities.

Example -   Newquay to Fowey via Padstow - 

2 days on the South West Coast Path and 2 days walking the Coast to Coast Saints Way with as many days of other activities as you can stand built in!

Day 1 - Newquay Area - Options for adrenalin sports, try a different approach to coast walking with a session throwing yourself off the sea cliffs whilst costeering, learn to surf, try sea cliff climbing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, kite boarding and much more at Lusty Glaze Beach the adventure centre with its own private beach and cliff space right in the heart of Newquay. Or head for the Extreme Sports Academy in Watergate Bay, Kite surfing, Wave ski, Kite Buggies, Mountain Boards and Paddle Surfing are just some of the options on offer here. You can stay at the first class Watergate Bay Hotel if its suits you and finish the day with a meal at Jamie Olivers 15 Restaurant if you want to the want the best in food to go with the best in water based activity.

Day 2 Walk Newquay to Porthcothan 10.5 miles along the South West Coast Path. Click Here to view the section description including the dramatic Bedruthan Steps and golden Watergate Bay

Day 3 Walk Porthcothan to Padstow 13.5 miles passing north Cornwall’s premier surfing beaches, round the lighthouse at wild Trevose Head and encounter the Trevone Round Hole, the Stepper Point promontory and the aptly named Doom Bar on route to Padstow.

Day 4 Options for more surfing from Padstow or take to two wheels and ride the legendry Camel Trail – 18 miles of off road traffic free trail along an old railway line heading inland from Padstow to mighty Bodmin Moor.

Day 5  Saints Way Path Padstow to Lanivet 15 miles

Start your cross Cornwall trek on the Saints Way Path. A challenging 15 miles from Padstow to Lanivet crossing St Breock Down and getting into the interior of Cornwall that most tourists and few walkers get to see.

Day 6 Saints Way Path Lanivet to Fowey 13 miles

Complete your crossing of the country on the Saints Way into Fowey, the best overnight harbour stop on the coast path with its lively riverside comings and goings,  excellent restaurants  and accommodation all set in stunning surroundings on the banks of this superb estuary.

Day 7  Canoeing, rest or gentle circular walking / exploring in Fowey

Take a half day canoe trip up the River Fowey Estuary exploring hidden creeks teeming with wildlife, inland harbours, Wind in the Willows creek and end up at the tiny village of Lerryn –totally unlike anything else in Cornwall and the perfect end to your adventures.

This is an example only,  but it’s a good one and it works well – Do remember however that we can tailor make similar multi activity itineraries in all the sections we provide walking holidays in across the West County. Multi Activity breaks can also be as long or as short as you want for instance the above itinerary can be cut to a 3 day break.

 CLICK HERE to send us a quotation form and tell us what your idea break would be and we will do our best to come up with a draft quote and itinerary for you to consider.

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