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Down The Cove
Place guide3 min readUpdated 8 Apr 2026

Crackington Haven

On the rugged north Cornish coast between Bude and Boscastle, Crackington Haven is a small, dramatic cove of rock and shingle that opens to sand at low tide. It is framed by extraordinary folded cliffs and watched over by High Cliff, the highest sheer-faced cliff in Cornwall.

The dramatic rock-and-shingle cove of Crackington Haven framed by steep folded cliffs on Cornwall's north coast.
A calm Down The Cove places guide for slower coastal days, family visits and local detail.

Beach and cove guide

Plan your visit

A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.

Crackington Haven is the kind of place where the day is shaped by simple things: tide, weather, a picnic, and time to notice the coast properly.

Best forOpen coastal character with sand, pebbles, cliffs or coves depending on the tide and weather.

Families, beach days, coast paths, rock pools and relaxed exploring.

Getting thereParking, arrival and the practical first steps.

Plan the final walk from the car park and check whether the beach is easy with pushchairs, tired legs or beach bags.

What to look forA calmer way to plan with children or visitors.

A useful read before visiting with children, especially for tides, paths, facilities and simple beach expectations.

Before you goThe small checks that make the day easier.

Look up tide times, swimming guidance and weather before you go, especially on wilder beaches.

The full guide

Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.

Pebbly and rocky but with sand at low tide. To the north (pictured) is Penkenna Point which is 430 feet and to the south the highest cliff in Cornwall, High Cliff which is in excess of 700 feet.

Sea Fishing in the Bude area

The rocks round Crackington Haven are a good place to catch numerous varieties of fish including mackerel, whiting, cod, dogfish and flat fish.

Browse coastline guides

RNLI Lifeguards are on duty:

2025

Daily 19 July - 7 September

Patrol times 10am - 6pm

Beach Safety Guide

RNLI Lifeguards are on duty:

2025

Daily 19 July - 7 September

Patrol times 10am - 6pm

Beach Safety Guide

Common questions

Where is Crackington Haven?
Crackington Haven is on the north coast of Cornwall, roughly seven miles south-west of Bude and four miles north-east of Boscastle.
What is Crackington Haven known for?
It is known for its dramatic scenery, the striking folded rock formations in its cliffs, and nearby High Cliff, the highest cliff on the Cornish coast at around 730 feet.
What is the beach at Crackington Haven like?
The beach is pebbly and rocky with sand appearing at low tide, set in a steep, sheltered cove between high cliffs.
What is there to do at Crackington Haven?
Visitors come for the beach at low tide, the dramatic cliff walks on the South West Coast Path over High Cliff, and the area's renowned coastal geology.
What sort of fishing is there at Crackington Haven?
The rocks around the cove are a good spot for a range of species including mackerel, whiting, cod, dogfish and flatfish.