The Poppies Are Out: A Stunning Coastal Walk Through West Pentire’s Fields

The poppies are our at West Pentire, transforming the headland into a vivid sea of red. This natural spectacle, managed by the National Trust, is one of Cornwall’s most breathtaking seasonal sights.

A Riot of Colour

Each year from late May through June, the arable fields between Crantock and Polly Joke beach erupt with red poppies and yellow corn marigolds. These fields are part of a carefully managed nature reserve, one of only a few in Britain, where traditional farming methods are used to support rare arable plants and wildlife.

The farmland is ploughed in rotation, with some fields sown with barley and others left fallow to allow wildflower seeds to germinate. This approach benefits not only the plants but also ground-nesting birds like skylarks and mammals such as brown hares.

📷02/06/2025 - Photo Credit: Bowgie Inn

A Walk to Remember

For those keen to experience the blooms up close, the West Pentire and Polly Joke circular walk offers a 2.2-mile (3.6 km) route through the heart of the wildflower fields. The path continues to the secluded Porth Joke beach before looping back over the headland to finish at The Bowgie Inn.

Walk details:

• Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.6 km

• Grade: Easy to moderate

• Footwear: Walking shoes recommended

• Stiles: None

• Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs should be kept on leads to protect ground-nesting birds and the poppies!

• Pub: The Bowgie Inn

• Café: C-Bay Cafe

Visiting Tips

The poppy fields are accessible via the South West Coast Path and various public footpaths. Visitors are urged to stay on designated paths to protect the delicate flora and fauna. Dogs should be kept on leads between March and July to safeguard ground-nesting birds.

Parking is available in two private pay-and-display car parks in West Pentire. Note that these car parks do not permit motorhomes or larger campervans. Alternative parking can be found in Crantock village, with a scenic coastal path leading to the poppy fields.

For more information and to plan your visit, check out the full walk details here:
👉 West Pentire and Polly Joke – iWalkCornwall

Now’s the time to go if you want to catch the poppies in full bloom.