Waterfalls don’t come much more beautiful than this. St Nectan’s Glen, near Tintagel, is an oasis of natural beauty far from the madding crowds. And there’s also plenty of mysticism here when it comes to stories of fairies, spirits and pixies dancing and playing in the glen.
Both an area of outstanding natural beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare plants around the attraction, St Nectan’s Glen is a natural haven of wonder. The 60ft main waterfall, which you can reach through an ancient woodland, is the star. These River Trevillet cascades spill out into a magnificent valley with mosses, grasses and ferns adoring its rocks.
There’s more than just the idyllic woodland walk and the waterfalls here, though. The Tree of Life Café is equally tranquil, serving up Cornish cream teas, ice cream milkshakes and homemade cakes throughout the day. And so is the onsite gift shop. Plus, there’s actually a wedding service here for couples who want to tie the knot in front of those wonderful waterfalls. We can’t think of anything more romantic than that for your big day.
Other highlights include a yoga studio, The Arbor that’s used for union ceremonies, and the Hermitage. This pays homage to St Nectan himself, who lived about 1,500 years ago and resided in neighbouring Devon. However, he would frequent this Cornish site and he once built a hermit cell and chapel here, where he would pray. The original cell is now housed in a quaint building that was built in the 1860s. This is Tintagel so, of course, there are also tales of King Arthur at St Nectan’s but we prefer to imagine those Cornish piskies and fairies dancing around the rocks at the foot of one of the most breathtaking waterfalls you can visit in the South West.