Boscastle, Medieval fishing port and village in Cornwall, England
Boscastle is a fishing village on Cornwall's north coast with a natural harbor protected by two stone walls. These walls were built in 1584 by Sir Richard Grenville and still define the harbor's appearance today.
The village began around 1080 when the Bottreaux family settled here and built a fortress between 1154 and 1189. These early fortifications shaped the place for generations to come.
The Museum of Witchcraft displays a large collection of objects related to folk magic and ancient rituals. Visitors can learn what practices people in this region performed over many centuries.
The harbor is the only major refuge for boats along a long stretch of coastline and sits tightly wedged between high rocky cliffs. Visitors should know that the way down to the water involves narrow lanes and steep steps.
In 2004 heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the village and military helicopters had to rescue over 90 people. This event led to major improvements in flood defenses along the coast.
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