Boscastle is a town and also fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England, UK, in the civil parish of Forrabury as well as Minster (where the 2011 Census population was consisted of). It is 14 miles (23 kilometres) south of Bude and 5 miles (8 kilometres) northeast of Tintagel. The harbour is an all-natural inlet safeguarded by two rock harbour walls constructed in 1584 by Sir Richard Grenville and also is the only substantial harbour for 20 miles (32 kilometres) along the shore. The village prolongs up the valleys of the River Valency as well as River Jordan. Heavy rainfall on 16 August 2004 triggered considerable damage to the town. Boscastle lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The South West Coast Path goes through the village. The village, with its stunning harbour, is a prominent tourist destination. Amongst the destinations are the Museum of Witchcraft, Uncle Paul's Emporium, the Boscastle pottery shop, and accessibility to the South West Coast Path. Much of the land in and around Boscastle is possessed by the National Trust, including both sides of the harbour, Forrabury Stitches, high above the Boscastle and divided right into old "stitchmeal" cultivation plots, and large locations of the Valency Valley, understood for its links to Thomas Hardy. The previous harbour stables (part of the National Trust estate) are now a hostel run by YHA, prominent with walkers. The National Trust runs a patronize the harbour, and a site visitor centre in the Old Smithy.