Places to Walk
Discover Cornwall
GOLITHA FALLS & SIBLYBACK LAKE
The Golitha Falls and Siblyback Lake Walk is a fun and beautifully scenic journey that will allow you to experience a variety of terrain types while taking in some stunning views of nearby waterways. While out walking the trail, you will make your way along the forested banks of the River Fowey to view Golitha Falls, before traversing the open countryside around Siblyback Lake. This isn’t an overly challenging route; however, there are some tricky to navigate sections of trail that are easier done when you have a GPS handy. On your return, Inkies at the car park for Golitha Falls is a great smoke house with particularly good brisket rolls (also has good vegetarian options).
MOUNT EDGCUMBE TO KINGSAND
A breathtaking tour around the waterside perimeter of the Mount Edgcumbe estate, with tremendous views across Plymouth Sound and a host of eighteenth-century follies, fountains, seats and shelters along the path. The route travels through the parkland and woodland of the historic family seat of the Earls of Edgcumbe, who built the house at the heart of the estate in the mid-sixteenth century.
The house and its formal gardens, as well as tea-room, restaurant and shop, are open to the public during the summer season; but the South West Coast Path, passing through the estate, is open throughout the year.
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Leaving Mount Edgcumbe takes you through Maker where you can stop off for some lunch at the Canteen. The food is rustic and definitely nods to chef Nick Platt’s time at River Cottage, the menu here is very good value.
Onwards to the twin seafront villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. They have a rich fishing (and smuggling!) heritage and whilst the smuggling tunnels are believed to have been sealed up there, you can still spot the old fish cellars and stores along the coast.
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There are three main beaches in Kingsand and Cawsand, which are separated by sections of rocks. Girt Beach at Kingsand is more shingly and Cawsand Beach is mostly sandy. As well as exploring the beaches at both villages, the area is becoming known for its art with the landscape and villages having inspired many artists over the years.
This area of Cornwall is renowned for its birds so for the birdwatcher in you, definitely bring along your binoculars so you can spot the peregrines and buzzards. Other wildlife to look out for include seals, dolphins and porpoise.
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There are lots of options for food and drink to with traditional pubs and cafés in both villages. Or you can pop into The Farriers at Mt Edgecumbe on your return.
RAME HEAD TO CAWSAND
Guarding Plymouth Sound from the westerly winds, Rame Head, is a dramatic headland surmounted by a medieval chapel which once doubled as a hermitage and lighthouse. Inland, the coast gives way to heath and then small fields. At Rame village the 11th Century church has the last remaining hand-pumped organ in the country.
Further round the coast lie the conjoined villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. The tiny cottages in these narrow streets once harboured smugglers who made good use of the sheltered bay.
The old county border marker is shown on a house in Garrett Street – once Kingsand was in Devon and Cawsand in Cornwall! Above sit the 18th century fortifications of Maker Heights, built to protect us from a French invasion that never happened. From here the land drops away on the northside through woodland to the tidal expanse of Millbrook Lake.
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The eastern end of the AONB is taken up with the splendour of Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park. The house was reconstructed after WW II, the grounds comprise formal gardens, woodlands with wild deer and buildings including forts, a 'temple', several follies and an orangery. The parkland is at it's best in the spring when daffodils carpet the ground whilst rhododendrons and camillias burst into colour on the surrounding hillsides.
HESSENFORD TO SEATON
From the front door walk down the farm track onto the lane and when half way down the lane take the left onto Pig Lane. This takes you down to Hessenford Village where you can have lunch or dinner at the Copley Arms if you don’t fancy walking further!
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Pass the Copley arms and the bridge, and take the road on your left signed to Seaton. Take care as this is a B road. After about fifty metres you will find a footpath on your left. N.b. - the gates get a little stiff in the rain. This leads along the valley over a series of raised walkways to the beach at Seaton, two miles away. It is a lovely path through the woods and past little lakes, but it can be a little muddy in places - sturdy footwear is recommended. After about a mile there is a small bridge to cross, which leads to a path with a firmer surface. Be aware that if it has been very wet, or the tide is exceptionally high, this path can get flooded and is not safe, as the river is very close and fast flowing. If you have very small children we would suggest keeping them under fairly close supervision for the first part of the walk, as the path is close to the bank, and in a few places there are holes along the river's edge.
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Once at Seaton, enjoy the beach or have lunch in one of Seaton's eateries - Seaton Beach Cafe is great if you have children with you, as it is right on the beach, and they do very good ice-creams, as does the little post office and general store beside the beach. There is also the Smugglers' Inn, or Peasants Bistro. A bonus for families at Seaton is the river, which is usually shallow enough for safe paddling.You could turn left on the beach and walk to Downderry, which is very pleasant, and has a Spar shop, restaurant and a pub The Inn on the Shore offering quality food. The boats often look lovely at Downderry - there are a number of traditional Cornish boats moored here. We would suggest walking back the way you came, but it is possible to extend your walk into a circular one by turning right at Seaton and taking the bridlepath up Keveral lane, or turning sharp left and walking along pleasant back lanes back to Hessenford. We would recommend at this point refering to the OS Explorer map which is provided in each of our carriages! Another option for the energetic would be to continue along the coast path to Looe (which for this leg is primarily back lanes) or better still along the beach if the tide is out (check the tide times first - getting stranded by the tides is a real hazard and easily done - as we can confirm having been caught out on occassions!). This option adds about four miles to your walk. You then have a choice of return modes of transport - train (change at Liskeard) or bus.
POLRUAN TO LANTIC BAY
This walk follows a fairly demanding stretch of coast path but is worth it when you reach the spectacular white crescent of Lantic Bay. If you take the trip down to Lantic Bay the walk back up is strenuous.
The term "hidden gem" is often used to describe some of the more remote beaches in Cornwall, but if there is any one beach that deserves this title it would be Lantic Bay. Located on the quiet, but stunning stretch of coast between Fowey and Polperro this is not the kind of place you simply stumble upon. However, once found you will be rewarded by a vista of near white sand and turquoise water all set in a bay backed by high, verdant cliffs.
Technically there are two beaches in Lantic Bay, Little Lantic and Great Lantic beach. At low tide you can walk between the two but with the rising tide they become separate coves. To the western end of the beach are a some further secluded coves which again are easily reachable at low tide, however care must be taken not to get cut off by the retuning tide.
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The beach here is mostly sand, although there are patches of pebble and shingle depending on how far up or down the beach you go. With a shoreline that shelves quite steeply Lantic Bay is an ideal place to visit by boat, and a large proportion of visitors do. This also makes it good for swimming, but care must be taken as there can be strong rip currents at certain states of tide. Being as secluded as the beach is there are no lifeguards.
LOOE TO TALLAND BAY
A circular walk from Looe visiting Talland Bay before returning to the town through inland country lanes. It's a varied walk with riverside paths, woodland trails, coastal sections and some hill climbs. The route is just under 7 miles with moderate climbs through the countryside after a fairly easy coastal section.
The walk starts from West Looe, close to the train station. You head south along the Looe River to the coast at Hannafore before passing along Portnadler Bay. Here you can enjoy lovely views over to Looe Island. The island is a great place for wildlife lovers with grey seals, cormorants, shags and oystercatchers to look out for.
The walk continues to Talland where you will pass the noteworthy St Tallanus' Church. The Grade I listed church dates from the 13th century and is positioned in a dramatic cliff top location.
Shortly after you come to Talland Bay where you'll find two sheltered shingle beaches, Talland Sand and Rotterdam Beach. It's a lovely, unspoiled place and is both a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty and a Heritage Coast.
After enjoying the bay the route then turns inland to follow footpaths and quiet lanes through the countryside to Tencreek, Parkers Cross and Kilminorth. Here you pass through the Kilminorth Woods nature reserve before picking up a riverside path to take you back into West Looe.
You can continue your walking along the South West Coast Path on the Looe to Polperro Walk.
