The craggy Cornish coast is littered with tight rocky inlets and narrow river mouths. One of the most famous is at Boscastle, where the River Valency carves its confined route to the ocean.
Narrow entrance to Boscastle Harbour
Boscastle Harbour is a beautiful, rugged spot under the protection of the National Trust. In the summer it hums with visitors, but we were lucky enough to have it all to ourselves one wet morning last December.
Boscastle Harbour in December 2015
In August 2004, Boscastle hit the headlines after terrible flash floods ripped through the lower village and harbour. The damage caused by this freak event was almost indescribable. Amazingly, although over a hundred people had to be rescued by helicopter amid the chaos, not one person was killed or seriously injured.
Boscastle during the 2004 floods (photo copyright Mark Pearson/REX)
Over ten years on, Boscastle has been restored to its picture-postcard serenity. Today, walking beside the river to the breakwaters protecting the narrow harbour entrance from the unforgiving Celtic Sea, it’s hard to believe the destructive torrent that swept through this confined valley from the other direction, little more than a decade ago.
The building on the left is the one in the centre of the photo above
All the land between the river and the houses in the background was washed away during the floods
Most of the low lying ground in this photo has been restored since the floods
A narrow street in Boscastle
Today Boscastle is peaceful (if still damp)
The harbour
Boscastle Harbour is still picturesque, even on a dreary December day
Boscastle Harbour inner breakwater
The outer breakwater from the inner
Mouth of the River Valency, just beyond the breakwaters
Me on the inner breakwater
This post was inspired by the photo themes of Narrow from Ben of The Daily Post and Waterfront from Nancy Merrill Photography, not to mention my second contribution to Jo’s Monday Walk this week.
Out-take: it was a bit windy down on those breakwaters!
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It reminds me very much of Glendinning in the Lake District, which suffered the same fate just days after our visit last November. It’s a beautiful spot and it’s good to see it restored to health, Jaspa. Thanks for sharing. đŸ™‚
I was up in Cumbria visiting friends the week after I took these photos of Boscastle. The whole area was suffering terribly from the flooding at the time, especially around Cockermouth and Carlisle.
Oh, no poor Jaspa! I do hope you rescued him! And yes, Boscastle is very pretty, and even better in the sunshine. https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/boscastle-harbour-walk/
Great to see your photos of Boscastle Harbour with blue skies, Jude! We didn’t see much of that in December đŸ˜‰
We didn’t see any on our first visit either! Makes such a difference đŸ™‚
Where ever did those 12 years go….
Tell me about it, Sue!
đŸ˜€
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Jasper, thanks for the wonderful images. It’s always great fun to read a tweet your adventure.
Sorry, my autocorrect changed your name. đŸ˜’ Thanks, again, Jaspa!
No worries, Nancy!
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So beautiful, I love your posts, they take me to different parts of the world, thank you đŸ™‚
Glad to have you along, Mukhamani!