The A39 is a rather meandering road that runs all the way from Bath in Somerset to the coastal town of Falmouth in the far west. This wonderful, nearly 200 mile journey is great for anyone who loves a road trip, but the stretch between Barnstable in Devon and Fraddon, in the middle of Cornwall, is particularly lovely and has even been given the romantic moniker of ‘The Atlantic Highway’. The name even appears on the road signs!
Atlantic Highway’s stunning scenery
As the nickname suggests, this section offers stunning sea views as it winds its way through some spectacular scenery and between lots of lovely rural towns and villages. As you cross into Cornwall from Devon a slight detour from the Atlantic Highway takes you to the peaceful hamlet of Morwenstow where you can visit Hawker’s Hut, the smallest National Trust property in the country, on the edge of the cliffs, towering above the breaking waves.
Back on the route and the road then makes its way towards the seaside town of Bude. This delightful little place has beautiful beaches facing the tumbling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The town has been a popular destination for sea bathing since Victorian times and is now a hub for all kinds of water sports, there is even a sea pool for the less confident swimmers. Other highlights include The Castle Museum, the views from Compass Point and a stroll along the Bude Canal.
Bodmin Moor
From here the Highway climbs past the long stretch of sand at Widemouth Bay, popular with surfers, passing the village of Poundstock with its history church and Tudor Gildhouse. At Davidstow the vast rocky heights of Bodmin Moor loom on the horizon, calling those who enjoy a wild walk in this untouched landscape, while towards the coast there is the opportunity to visit some incredible coastal villages such as Port Isaac, Boscastle and Tintagel.
Boscastle with its picturesque harbour makes a perfect place for a pitstop. Take a stroll along the coastal path or perhaps visit the rather bizarre The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic to indulge a little cultural curiosity! At Tintagel, just a short distance further down the coast, the breathtaking castle, perched on its rocky headland is a must-see moment! This legendary place is bursting with history, from the Romans to Merlin and King Arthur!
Back on the A39 again and the next stop is the often overlooked town of Wadebridge. This traditional Cornish town sits beside a tidal reaches of the River Camel and is at the end (or the start) of the popular Camel Trail cycle route. There is an elegant 15th century bridge spanning the river, while the town itself is a bustling little place with plenty of interesting, independent, family-run shops, cafes and bakeries.
Wadebridge and beyond
From Wadebridge you can of course take a side trip to beautiful Padstow but if you continue on the last stretch of the journey you will pass Winnard’s Perch where you can visit the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre. This educational and charitable organisation provides sanctuary for unwanted, injured or mistreated birds of all shapes and wingspans. From parrots to owls and hawks there is a fascinating range of beautiful creatures to enjoy and the daily displays of these wonderful birds in flight is wonderful to see.
A few miles on at Fraddon the Atlantic Highway section of this road comes to an end and the A39 briefly joins with the A30 before continuing its journey west.
