72 hours in Rock, North Cornwall: a three day itinerary

When you head away for a short break – whether it’s for a long weekend or a midweek escape – it can be tricky to know how to make the most of the precious time you have to spend on your holiday.

If you still need some help deciding where to stay, we highly recommend the village of Rock. Boasting what we think is one of the prettiest beaches in Cornwall, Rock is perfectly situated to head out and explore this stunning part of the Cornish coast.

We’ve put together a three-day Cornwall itinerary to help you plan your next short break in the beautiful fishing village of Rock.

Follow our Rock holiday guide to get the best from your three days in Cornwall, or use it as inspiration to plan your own perfect Cornwall road trip.

Day one

Spend the morning walking Cornwall’s coastal path

Kick off your visit to Rock by exploring some of the area’s stunning coastal scenery on foot. The South West Coast Path takes in the whole of the Cornish coastline, including Rock. The Rock to Polzeath circular walk is a 5.8-mile track which takes roughly two and a half hours. This leisurely coastal path ramble takes you past St Enodoc Church, Daymer Bay and the purple and green striped rocks at Trebetherick Point. Stop along the way for an ice cream and a Cornish pasty at one of Daymer Bay’s beach cafes, or carry on back to Rock for lunch.

Lunch at Four Boys

Four Boys is a relatively new on the streets of Rock, but it has already been endorsed by the likes of Gordan Ramsay. The ‘brother cafe’ to well-loved Rock stalwart Fee’s, they offer a high-quality menu which changes with the seasons.

Spend some time on the beach

You’ll want to relax after your coastal walk, and Rock is home to a mile-long sandy beach, with calm seas on one side and majestic sand dunes on the other. Enjoy watching the surfers and waterskiers – and you can even give a variety of watersports a go yourself at Camel Ski School.

If the weather doesn’t lend itself to a walk and a day on Rock beach, you can explore the lovely independent shops and cafes of Rock and the surrounding area instead. Indulge in a Cornish cream tea at Nana’s in St Minver (just make sure you get the cream and jam the right way round on the scone – you are in Cornwall after all!) before ending the afternoon at Sharp’s Brewery. Treat yourself to a tasting, or simply enjoy a pint of locally-brewed Doom Bar.

Dinner at Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips

No trip to a seaside town would be complete without some fish and chips. Take the ferry over to Padstow for an early evening meal, or take the car to avoid missing the last ride home. Or if it’s Friday or Saturday, you can enjoy your pick of the menu at Rock Fish & Chips, without having to travel over the estuary.

Day two

Breakfast at Fee’s

Head out early to enjoy a delicious light breakfast at Fee’s. With locations in both Rock and nearby Port Isaac, sampling their delectable local fare is a must-do for any visit – whether you’re just passing through Cornwall or staying for three or four days! While you’re there, pick up one of their homemade ready meals for dinner after your day out.

Take a (short) road trip around the coast to visit Tintagel Castle

Now that you’ve settled into your stay, it’s time to head out and explore Cornwall a little further afield.

Just a 40-minute drive from Rock, Tintagel Castle is a truly unmissable stop on your long weekend in Cornwall. Whilst the area is known as ‘the island’, the headland that the castle ruins sit on is still connected to the mainland, although you do need to cross a bridge to get to it. If the weather is good, you won’t want to miss the one-mile clifftop walk and the chance to hike around the headlands. On less favourable days, stick to the castle, which is steeped in English legend as the apparent birthplace of King Arthur.

Eat lunch at the Beach Cafe, or bring a picnic and enjoy it along the way as you explore this magical place.

Tintagel Castle is only accessible by road – you can park in Tintagel village and walk the 600m to the castle (it’s recommended that you allow plenty of time during high season to find somewhere to park, plus 30 minutes for the walk), or you can get a private Land Rover shuttle for an extra charge. You’ll also need to book a timeslot to cross the bridge to the headlands, but once you’re there the day is yours to enjoy (visit English Heritage for a discount when you book online in advance).

Dinner from Fee’s Food in your accommodation

After a busy day exploring Tintagel, we recommend treating yourself to a home-cooked ready meal from local Rock cafe Fee’s – get yours before you head out to explore, or check the website to find out if they deliver to your location. Heat it up in your self-catering kitchen and spend the evening relaxing in your cosy holiday cottage.

Day three

Cycle the famous Cornish Camel Trail

For anyone with any enthusiasm for the great outdoors, the Camel Trail is sure to be a highlight of your Cornwall road trip. Hire your bicycle in Padstow, and then choose to spend the day riding the full 18-mile trail, or take our recommendation and spend the morning cycling from Padstow to Wadebridge (45 minutes each way) before returning for your lunch stop back in Padstow.

Travel to Padstow for lunch at The Golden Lion

The Rock to Padstow ferry is a scenic treat in its own right. Be sure to make the boat trip at least once during your stay, and heading over for a Sunday roast at The Golden Lion is a top reason in our opinion. Don’t forget to take a walk along the harbour to take in the stunning views while you’re there.

Explore Pencarrow House

If cycling’s not your thing, or the weather doesn’t lend itself to a day on the coast, Pencarrow House & Gardens is a real family day out. Just a 25-minute drive from Rock, Pencarrow house is a Georgian mansion offering circular walks around their spectacular gardens. Children go free, and there’s a playground within the grounds to keep the little ones busy. The gardens and cafe are dog-friendly, and a large part of the park is wheelchair-accessible (take a look at the website for detailed information). Be sure to check the opening times if you’re visiting in the low season, as they do close for winter, with the exception of their Christmas market and snowdrop weekends in February.

Dinner at The Mariners Public House

Head back towards the coast to end your stay in Rock with a special treat – dinner at The Mariners Public House, owned by celebrity chef Paul Ainsworth. Expect fine dining and fine views over the Camel Estuary.

Discover your next Rock holiday

The easiest way to get to Rock is to drive. Driving in Cornwall is a treat in its own right due to the stunning scenery, but there are plenty of public transport choices to help you get around. The nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway, and if you’re travelling from London, trains via Bristol or Plymouth and Bodmin are good options, followed by a bus to Rock. If flight is your transport mode of choice, Newquay Airport is just a 35-minute drive away. Just be sure to check the travel times, as flights from some UK airports are only available during the summer.

We hope our Cornwall travel itinerary has helped you plan how to best spend your 3 days in Rock, whether you’re visiting this stunning part of the Cornish countryside for your summer holiday or are joining us for an off-season escape on the north coast.

CRW Holidays have a range of holiday properties in Rock that are perfect for a weekend break or a longer trip. We look forward to seeing you when you come and stay in Rock for your next Cornwall holiday.