Living up to its name, Crackington Haven is indeed a haven being one of the few points of shelter along the particularly imposing coastline between Bude and Boscastle. However landing a boat here would be no easy task and indeed the treacherous rocks have wrecked many a vessel. Towering dark cliffs flank the shingly cove - in fact to the south of the town is High Cliff, at 735ft (225m) the highest in Cornwall and in fact the highest sheer drop cliff in Southern Britain. Access to this small village being via the narrow valley road which descends from the A39.
Surfing is perhaps more appropriate here than swimming, and dramatic cliff walking is popular; a past fan being Thomas Hardy. Decent fare and accommodation is offered by the local pub. Nearby Poundstock is a rural idyll with a handful of picturesque buildings, including the oldest inhabited manor in the country.