Places to Stay on The Salt Path in North Cornwall

Are you as excited as we are about The Salt Path hitting cinema screens in May? This adaptation of Raynor Winn’s powerful memoir follows her epic 635-mile hike along the South West Coast Path – starring some of North Cornwall’s most dramatic coastal scenery alongside big names Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson.

However, you don’t have to wait for the big reveal to feel the transformative power of nature on a stomp along The Salt Path – strike out before the crowds to see some of the filming locations.

Unlike Raynor and her husband Moth, you won’t need to pitch a tent in the wilds of Cornwall – you can retreat to one of our hiker-friendly holiday cottages, perfectly placed near the coastal trail and shooting locations in North Cornwall.

Where to stay on The Salt Path in Padstow

The pretty harbour town we call home plays a pivotal role in both the book and the film. And while Raynor and Moth passed through quietly, Anderson and Isaacs caused quite a stir when they were spotted filming here. Wherever you choose to stay in town, we suggest you follow Raynor by getting fish and chips at the harbour, before setting out to explore the beaches and promontories on the outskirts of Padstow.

Dew

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Open your sash windows to see wheeling gulls and fishing boats, and step straight out onto the South West Coast Path, from this stylish apartment next to Padstow harbour. Set above a shop (and Harbour Holidays HQ) in the heart of the Old Town, it’s up to you whether you want to hit The Salt Path to Stepper Point, hop on the ferry to Rock and Daymer Bay, tuck into fish and chips on the quayside, or soak it all up from your holiday home with a glass of wine in hand.

Shifting Sands

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What we love about this spacious holiday cottage on the Camel Estuary is the location – just far enough out of the bustle of Padstow to relax and reflect, yet close enough to saunter along the water for harbour life, eateries, boat trips, beaches, and – of course – the delights of the South West Coast Path. However, with a private slipway to launch paddle boards, kayaks and dinghies, you might choose to float into Padstow, or across the estuary to Rock and beyond.

Clome Cottage

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Hideaway in a dinky Cornish cottage tucked down a secret alleyway, an easy stroll from the harbour and the South West Coast Path. An enchanting base for walkers, couples and romance, just make sure you leave your cosy nook to explore the delights of the town, beaches and coastal trails that await beyond the front door.

Where to stay on The Salt Path in Hawkers Cove

The sheltered white sands of Hawker’s Cove, just two miles from Padstow, beckon you to pause and reflect – much like Raynor did during her journey. You might even be tempted to strip off your clothes dip in the crystal-clear waters, for head-to-toe immersion in the natural beauty translated onto our screens in The Salt Path.

The Old Lifeboat Station

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Slip into beach life and the rhythm of the tides when you stay at this quirky old lifeboat house, which nudges the crystal-clear water at Hawker’s Cove. Made for family and group holidays, with little but coastal walks and beach days on the agenda, this incredible property makes you feel like you’re on own little island surrounded by big blue views and breathtaking vistas.

Pilot Cottages

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Follow the garden path until your toes hit the sand, at this traditional Cornish cottage originally built for the crews of pilot gig boats. So close to the water’s edge, you can feel the power of the ocean from every nook of your holiday home, but none more so than when you step out in Raynor’s footsteps along The Salt Path leading from your doorstep.

Where to stay on The Salt Path in Port Quin

When you tackle the ups and downs of the South West Coast Path around Port Quin, no doubt you’ll find yourself pausing to get your breath back on one of the picnic benches – maybe even the very same bench that Anderson and Isaacs, or Raynor and Moth, sat on – not even halfway along their own walk. However, filmed with the sun on their faces, the water twinkling below, and the little fortress of Doyden Castle winking in the distance, Port Quin’s rugged beauty effortlessly captures the contrast of hope and despair captured in The Salt Path.

Bark House, Port Isaac

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Just three miles along the South West Coast Path from Port Quin, rest your weary walking legs in this former fisherman’s net loft in Port Isaac, which has been converted into a two-bed cottage. Don your walking boots and set off into the staggering scenery that changed Raynor Winn’s life, then come home and sink into authentic Cornish life beside the quay.

Fuschia Cottage, Port Isaac

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Hunker down and throw another log on the fire after long days on The Salt Path. This Grade II listed cottage in the heart of Port Isaac is a haven for hikers who want to explore some of Cornwall’s most dramatic seascapes, buy dinner from local fishermen and sip local ales by the fireside in quayside inns.

Other places to stay on The Salt Path in North Cornwall

Moonrakers Apartment, Mawgan Porth

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While not explicitly mentioned in the book, the towering sea stacks of Bedruthan Steps are captured in the backdrop of The Salt Path film, highlighting the rugged and awe-inspiring landscapes of North Cornwall. When you stay in this coastal apartment just footsteps from Mawgan Porth beach, it’s less than two miles along the South West Coast Path to these mighty rock giants rising from a rugged cove. Mawgan Porth is also the gateway to Newquay’s surfing beaches, and just a 20-minute drive from where Anderson and Issacs were filmed walking along the edge of the wave-lashed Fistral Beach.

Book a Holiday Cottage to Walk The Salt Path

Inspired to walk The Salt Path? Book now and beat the crowds to explore key filming locations when you stay at one of our coastal cottages in Padstow.