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St Nectan’s Glen
St Nectan’s Glen is a wooded valley near Tintagel on the north Cornwall coast, and it makes one of the more unusual short walks in the county. A path follows the River Trevillet through old, ivy-covered woodland until the river drops about 60 feet through a natural hole in the rock. That waterfall, known as St Nectan’s Kieve, is what draws most people here.
The glen lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its damp, mossy woodland is often described as temperate rainforest. Legend adds another layer. Local tradition says Saint Nectan lived here as a hermit, and plenty of visitors come for the atmosphere as much as the scenery.
A few practical details can shape your day. The ground is uneven and wet in places, you need to walk through the stream to reach the falls, and the car park can fill up around midday. Admission is charged only if you want to see the waterfall itself.
This guide explains what to expect at St Nectan’s Glen, how to get there, when to go, what it costs and what to wear. It also covers visiting with children and dogs, plus other places nearby that fit neatly into a day around Tintagel. Prices and opening times can change, so check the glen’s own website shortly before you travel.
Why Visit St Nectan’s Glen?
Most Cornish waterfalls sit on the coast or in open valleys. This one is different because you arrive gradually, walking through shaded woodland while the sound of the river builds. The glen feels sheltered and calm, which is a welcome contrast to the busier coastal stops nearby.
The waterfall is the main event, but it is not the only reason to come. The glen describes seven acres open to visitors within 33 acres of grounds. There is a nature trail, a butterfly garden, a riverside walk, sculptures in Adam’s Wood, a gift shop and a café. You can make a proper outing of it rather than stopping only for a quick look at the falls.
Then there is the story behind the name. Tradition says Saint Nectan was a holy man who lived in a hermitage above the waterfall. Some visitors treat the glen as a spiritual place and leave small offerings near the water. Others simply enjoy a peaceful woodland walk. Either approach works, as long as you respect the site and the people around you.
What You Will See at the Glen
Even the approach has some interest. From the bus stop in Trethevy, a gravel track leads past St Piran’s Well and the small church of St Piran, which dates back to 1457, and then a Roman inscribed pillar beside the road. After a stretch of tarmac lane, the path enters the woodland.
A visit to St Nectan’s Glen has two main parts: the woodland walk and the waterfall. The walk follows the river beneath old trees on paths that are left natural, so expect bumps, slopes, steps and mud. Watch the water for dippers, the small birds that feed along fast-flowing streams.
The Kieve Waterfall
St Nectan’s Kieve is the highlight. The water falls roughly 60 feet, passing through a circular opening in the slate into the pool below. To see it properly you walk in the stream, which is why waterproof footwear matters. Waterfall tickets are bought on the day at the gift shop or café. Smaller waterfalls along the paths add to the scenery, so take your time and watch your footing on the rocks, which can be slippery.
Nature Trail, Café and Gift Shop
Away from the falls, the nature trail and Adam’s Wood offer a slower alternative to heading straight for the water. Sculptures have been placed along the way, and the butterfly garden is worth a look in the warmer months. The Tree of Life Café, which the glen describes as award-winning, is a good place to rest before or after the walk. The café and gift shop can be visited without buying a waterfall ticket.
How to Get to St Nectan’s Glen
The glen’s address is Trethevy, Tintagel, PL34 0BE, about two miles from Tintagel village. Most visitors drive, but a bus and walking route also work. Whichever you choose, allow time for the walk in. The glen’s guidance puts the walk from the car park at roughly a mile, and suggests allowing about 30 minutes to reach the admissions desk, gift shop and café. Add extra time for the woodland walk to the falls.
Parking Tips
Drivers use the farmers’ pay-and-display car park on the B3263 in Trethevy. It costs £3 for the day, and the glen says both cash and card are accepted, though carrying some cash is a sensible backup. A field car park opens in the summer season and is reached through the main one. Space is limited, and the busiest period is between noon and 3pm, so arriving earlier or later gives you a better chance of a space. You cannot reach the glen through Trevillet Quarry, so do not follow a route that sends you that way. The what3words location for the car park is invoices.lowest.showdown.
Getting There Without a Car
If the car park is full, leave your car at Tintagel Visitor Centre and take the number 95 bus. It stops in Trethevy opposite Genva Lane, where signs point the way to the glen, and from there it is about a mile on foot. You can also walk from Tintagel Visitor Centre to the car park in roughly 30 minutes. Bus times can change, so check the current timetable before you set out.
Best Time to Visit St Nectan’s Glen
The glen’s opening hours and last admission times change through the year, so look at the official opening times page before you go rather than relying on an older guidebook or blog post.
Time of day matters more than season for most people. The glen lists 9am to 11am as its quiet time, which is a good window if you want the woodland to feel calmer. Between noon and 3pm the car park is at its fullest, and the paths and the waterfall are likely to feel busier too. School holidays are also likely to bring more visitors than a term-time weekday.
The weather affects comfort more than access. The woodland is shaded, so a visit can still work on a grey day, but rain makes the paths muddier and the stream walk wetter. You need waterproof footwear whatever the forecast, because the route goes through the water. Pack a waterproof jacket for showers, and allow extra time if the ground is soft underfoot. If you plan to see Tintagel Castle on the same day, an early start at the glen leaves the rest of the day free and helps you avoid the midday rush at the car park.
Costs, Tickets and Facilities
Admission is only charged for the waterfall. Exploring the woodland areas, the café and the gift shop does not require a waterfall ticket. Tickets are sold on site on the day of your visit, and the glen also offers memberships if you plan to return.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Waterfall admission | Adult £11, child (5 to 15) £6, under 5 free |
| Woodland areas, café, gift shop | No waterfall ticket needed |
| Parking | £3 per day, pay and display |
| Carers | One carer or support worker aged 16 or over goes free |
These prices were correct on the glen’s website at the time of writing, but they can change. If you are planning a visit for a group, the glen has a separate groups and schools page, so it is worth checking before you book transport for a larger party.
Because the walk in, the woodland route and the stream section all take time, it is better to treat the glen as a relaxed outing than a quick stop between other attractions.
Families, Dogs and Accessibility
Children aged five to fifteen pay a reduced waterfall price, and under-fives go free. The stream walk is part of the fun for many children, but the paths include steps, slopes and slippery rocks, so keep hold of small hands near the water. Pushchairs are not suitable for the woodland walk, so you may need to carry a very young child in places.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome across the whole site. They must stay on a lead at all times, and owners need to clear up after them. Because the route goes through the stream, think about whether your dog will be comfortable in cold, moving water.
The woodland walk is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and people with mobility difficulties may find it challenging. The glen publishes an accessibility guide on its website, which is worth reading before you decide on the trip.
A short packing list helps:
- Waterproof boots or wellingtons
- A waterproof jacket
- Some cash as a backup for parking
- A lead and waste bags if you bring a dog
Nearby Places to Visit Around St Nectan’s Glen
Tintagel is the obvious pairing, about two miles away. Its castle ruins date from the thirteenth century and stand on the site of an earlier Dark Age fort, long associated with the legend of King Arthur. Tintagel Visitor Centre is also the starting point for the bus and walking routes described above, so it works well as a base for the day.
Boscastle lies around five miles north-east of Tintagel. Its harbour is a natural inlet protected by two stone walls built in 1584, and it is the only significant harbour along roughly 20 miles of this coast. The village is also home to the Museum of Witchcraft, which suits a wet-weather stop.
The Rocky Valley area sits close to the glen too. Local legend says Saint Nectan rang a silver bell in stormy weather to warn ships away from the rocks near its mouth. Both Tintagel and Boscastle have holiday accommodation, so either can work as a base if you want to spend more than a day exploring this part of Cornwall.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit St Nectan’s Glen?
Admission is only charged for the waterfall: £11 for adults, £6 for children aged 5 to 15, and free for under-fives. The woodland areas, café and gift shop do not need a waterfall ticket. Parking is separate at £3 per day. Prices can change, so check the official website before you travel.
Where do you park for St Nectan’s Glen?
Use the farmers’ pay-and-display car park on the B3263 in Trethevy, which costs £3 for the day. Spaces are limited, especially between noon and 3pm. If it is full, park at Tintagel Visitor Centre and take the number 95 bus to Trethevy. Access through Trevillet Quarry is not possible.
How far is the waterfall from the car park?
The glen puts the walk from the car park at roughly a mile, and suggests allowing about 30 minutes to reach admissions, the gift shop and the café. The woodland walk continues to the waterfall. Wear waterproof footwear, because you have to walk in the stream to see the falls.
Are dogs allowed at St Nectan’s Glen?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome across the whole site, but they must be kept on a lead at all times and owners must clear up after them. The route includes uneven ground and a stream, so consider whether your dog will be comfortable before you set off.
Is St Nectan’s Glen suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs?
No. The glen says the woodland walk is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and people with mobility difficulties may find it challenging. Read the glen’s accessibility guide before you plan your trip. One carer or support worker aged 16 or over can enter free with a supported visitor.
Conclusion
St Nectan’s Glen rewards visitors who plan a little. Aim for the quieter morning window or a later arrival, wear waterproof footwear, and keep some cash as a parking backup. Check the glen’s website for current opening times and prices before you travel, and remember that the woodland walk is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. If the car park is full, the number 95 bus from Tintagel gives you another way in.
The waterfall is the highlight, but the woodland, the stream and the setting make the whole visit worthwhile. Combined with Tintagel Castle or a stop in Boscastle, it fills a satisfying day on the north Cornwall coast. If you are planning a trip to St Nectan’s Glen, allow plenty of time, dress for wet ground and take the walk at an unhurried pace.