Waterfalls, 15 and a golden globe

On our last full day in Cornwall we decided we would like to photograph a waterfall. An internet search found St Nectan’s Glen. A walk by a babbling brook up to a 60 foot waterfall and most important of all….a café! This has to be one of Cornwall’s most secret enchanting places. Midway between Tintagel and Boscombe we parked in a carpark at the side of the road and began the (at least a) mile long hike with camera equipment along a road and then a fairly decent path and then a much rougher path and then steps hewn into the rock. Suddenly at the top of the steps (with me peching away!) we came to an oasis of a café, in the middle of NOWHERE with a good menu, a shop, a ticket office and (thank you lords above) a loo!

Tea and cake followed along with a chat with the waitress who assured us we had taken the same route she takes to get to work (such an unusual commute) then we paid our £5 to see the waterfall, they gave us the use of wellies and they even had a size 12 for Rob. The walk down to the waterfall was on a boardwalk type structure that wove its way down the cliff and had a couple of stopping places to see the waterfall from two levels and a hidden waterfall that was uncovered when they built the new boardwalk (it only opened at Easter, previously there was a much rougher path down). Rob and I photographed different parts of the waterfall using filters and different long exposures, I’ve attached a 
version of my favourite part where it cascaded over the rocks. The main shot is where the waterfall hits the ground and someone had carefully places lillies on the cairn which made a lovely shot. A high point for me was seeing a little grey wagtail swooping around the falls and catching flies. Nature at its best. People leave offerings to the piskies and spirits and I have pictured a tree with various offerings.
It truly was an unexpected pleasure of a find and we would certainly go there again next time we are in Cornwall.


Our meal at night was in Jamie’s 15 overlooking the bay. A delicious five course taster menu fed our appetites and the view of upwards of 150 surfers fed our eyes. The risotto was a highpoint and the chocolate torte disappeared very quickly but every course was a delight.  We had to take another few sunset shots too, no tripods this time but a run down to the beach to capture the golden globe as it disappeared all too quickly into the sea. Really a fabulous day.