The quaint village is steeped in history and regularly attracts visitors interested in the occult
Cornwall is one of the United Kingdom’s most breathtaking counties. It’s also considered one of the most magical, steeped in legend. Perched on North Cornwall’s clifftops, Tintagel Castle is one of the most popular attractions. It’s rumoured to be the site where King Arthur was conceived, and visitors can explore Merlin’s Cave on the beach below when the tide is out.
St Nectan’s Glen, a sacred valley with a 60-foot waterfall and stacked fairy stones, is another popular spot for those visiting Tintagel, and just ten minutes down the road, visitors will find a village that’s “beautiful and magical.”
Boscastle, a small harbour village, is beloved for its stunning views, quaint shops, and mystical atmosphere. One visitor who documented her visit on TikTok as @thetaniachronicles described the “most bewitched” village as “England’s equivalent of Salem.”
For over 50 years, Boscastle has been home to The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. The independent museum is home to “one of the world’s largest and most spellbinding collections of folk magic artefacts,” according to National Geographic, and on TripAdvisor, the museum has over 800 ‘excellent’ reviews.
One impressed visitor wrote: “Came here with friends, it had been on our list for ages and it didn’t disappoint! After a hike along the coast from Tintagel, we reached the Boscastle harbour, which was in itself a spellbinding experience! The museum had thousands of artefacts, and we left feeling inspired and more knowledgeable than before! Will be back.”
Nearby, visitors will find The Wellington Hotel, one of the region’s oldest coaching inns, and one of the most haunted – if rumours are to be believed. With over 500 ‘excellent’ reviews on TripAdvisor, guests have praised the “best food and service” in the restaurant and the “cosy accommodation,” and many said they loved hearing ghost stories.
One reviewer wrote: “The hotel featured in the Most Haunted TV series although disappointingly we never saw any ghosts although several people including staff have and are happy to share their experiences if you want!”
Another claimed: “Staff, hotel and food all excellent. Ghosts a bit scary tho. Kept up all night with various footsteps, noises, shadows and door rattles. Culminating in a rather nasty encounter later on. We nearly left at 4am but the excellent dinner the night before had wetted our appetite for breakfast.”
Along with gift shops, restaurants, and a National Trust cafe, there are several walking routes for those who enjoy coastal paths. Visit Cornwall says: “For fantastic coastal views take the left hand path alongside the harbour which leads to a slate platform where you can see the ‘blowhole’ an hour before or after low tide, shooting a horizontal waterspout halfway across the harbour entrance if the conditions are right. You can follow the coast path up to Willapark, where the National Coastwatch have a watch-house high on the headland.
“The path on the other side of the harbour leads past the Witchcraft Museum out onto Penally Point, again this provides walkers with fantastic views but can be difficult underfoot in places.”
Alternatively, visitors can take in the views from Boscastle Harbour, which has over 300 ‘excellent’ reviews on TripAdvisor. Someone praised: “Just breathtaking in the sheer rugged unspoilt natural beauty of the landscape here. We visited in April and thought the village was lovely and the coastline is really something. It’s very atmospheric and as we walked back to the car we bought a steak and Stilton pasty from the little bakery. Simply delicious!”
Another fan said: “A magical and mystical place,” while someone echoed: “Beautiful and magical! I would highly recommend the walk to the harbour which is gorgeous. The views and the colour of the water is stunning.”
Boscastle is in Cornwall, England. The postcode for the visitor centre is PL35 0HD. The closest train station is Bodmin Parkway.