Boscastle

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Boscastle ( Cornish castle Boterel ) is a coastal town in the north of the municipality Forrabury the English county of Cornwall on the Atlantic coast. The place is located in a narrow valley at the confluence of the rivers Jordan, Valency and Paradise.

Tourism is the main source of income of Boscastle. The town center in the Elizabethan style, is set around the picturesque harbor. This was created in 1587 by Sir Richard Grenville and used until the 19th century for the removal of slate from the nearby quarries. The harbor walls made ​​of natural stone also protect it from storm surges. The harbor as well as large parts of the village and the surrounding area are cared for and maintained by the National Trust.

Also worth visiting is the Museum of Witchcraft, which houses the world's largest collection of accommodated with magic in conjunction artifacts. At the southern end of the village are the ruins of Bottreaux Castle from the 11th century, which gave the place its name. Most of the castle was demolished to use the stones for new houses in Boscastle in the 16th century. The place is also close to the ruins of Tintagel Castle, which is brought up today in connection with King Arthur. Another tourist attraction is the Highcliff, with 221 m the highest cliff in Cornwall.

Floods in 2004

On the morning of August 16, 2004 a violent storm raged across southern England, which was allowed to rise by two meters the water level of the rivers running through Boscastle within an hour. At 11 clock local time finally shot a four-meter high tidal wave through the narrow valley and tore over 50 cars and six buildings in the Atlantic. 20 more homes were so badly damaged that they had to be demolished later.

Almost 30 minutes later started one of the largest air rescue of British history. Seven SAR helicopter of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy salvaged over 150 people from the roofs of their homes. British media said later the miracle of Boscastle, as there were no fatalities in the devastating flood. The total damage of the flood in Boscastle is estimated at 40 million British pounds ( € 60 million).