Boswinger - Local Info
YHA Boswinger is an old farmhouse centred on a gravel courtyard, and located in rural Boswinger, a hamlet of around 10 houses. Just minutes from the coast, our nearest beach is family friendly Hemmick, a sandy cove ten minutes walk downhill. Once at Hemmick you can follow the coast path in either direction. To the west lies surfing beach Porthluney Cove, with Caerhays Castle (location for Hitchcock’s classic Rebecca) as its backdrop. To the east is Vault Beach; a long sandy beach accessible only by a steep cliff path, making it perfect for secluded getaways. Both are approximately 1 hour walk from the hostel (shortcuts available!). Local walking guides are available from the Hostel Reception, and our favourite route is along the coast path to dramatic Dodman Point, featuring a huge granite cross built in 1896 as a navigational aid for sailors. You can hire bicycles at Pentewan Cycle Hire and explore the Cornish cycle trails.
Gorran haven is just 2 miles away, a harbour village with a popular beach where you can hire kayaks in the summer or grab a Cornish ice-cream at one of the cafes. 5 miles away is busy Mevagissey, a small fishing village, with boutique shops, harbour restaurants and fresh fish on sale. Walk the old harbour walls to admire the colourful fishing boats and catch the Fowey ferry from the lighthouse. Walk up a quiet walking trail to the Lost Garden of Heligan, rediscovered in the last decade after being ‘lost’ due to neglect in the 1800s. Pick up some gardening tips in the walled Kitchen Garden then explore the jungle of vines, palm trees and ferns.
The beautiful Roseland Peninsula is a short drive away, with deserted beaches, wonderful walks and tiny seaside villages to explore. St Mawes overlooks the Carrick Roads estuary with great views from its 16th century castle. Catch a ferry across to Falmouth, home of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
St Austell, 10 miles from the hostel, is our nearest market town. Here is the inspirational Eden Project, once a 160 feet deep clay pit, now a showcase for plant-life from around the globe. Explore the 50 metre high biomes, wander the eye-catching grounds or educate yourself in the Core. Outdoor summer music events are held here every year; with some great line-ups.
Also at St Austell is the China Clay Park, which tells the story of our clay heritage, and in nearby Charlestown, used until the 1990s for shipping clay, is the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre, housed in the tunnels once used to transport clay to the docks.
Truro, Cornwall’s largest town, is a 30 minute drive from the hostel, and is a popular shopping centre, with boutique and high street shops jostling for space on its cobbled street, dominated by the neo-Gothic cathedral. Here is the Royal Cornwall Museum showcasing Cornish history, flora and fauna. A popular river cruise runs several times a day to Falmouth, making a stop at Trelissick Garden, famed for its camellias.
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