Great Cornish Walks

A Walk in the Park around Mount Edgcumbe - Explore Mount Edgcumbe's fabulous parkland that is surrounded by water, has far reaching views across Plymouth Sound and to the west down the Cornish coastline, a favorite walk with our guests. The Orangey, situated in the Earl's gardens serves light refreshments. The park is a mix of formal gardens and sculptured woodlands with a deer park and some very beautiful maritime trees. The Earls house is also open during most of the year.

The Italian garden at Mount Edgcumbe

Cawsand to Rame Head - A spectacular cliff top walk through what is known as Cornwall's forgotten corner and forms the tip of the Rame Peninsula which has a very rich maritime heritage. The villages of Cawsand and Kingsand have a couple of good places to eat with three pubs and a couple of cafes.

Rame Head, look closely to see a hand glider soaring

Cawsand and Kingsand to Whitsand Bay - Cawsand and Kingsand are really one village, the twin names being left over from the days when the Devon - Cornwall border ran through the village. From the village follow the shorter route mentioned above then continue on to the expansive four mile stretch of sandy beach at Whitsand Bay. Views to the Eddystone lighthouse and on a very clear days, with good eyesight the next landfall to the west - the USA!

Sunrise near Fowey

Looe Giants Way - Follow the Giants Way up the West Looe river through Kilmanorth woods then cross to the smugglers hamlet of Talland and follow the wondrous coastal path to Looe, passing St Georges Island, the Hore Stone and some hidden beaches where you can drop in for a swim, without the crowds.

The South West Coast Path at Looe looking toward Rame

Polperro to Talland or visa versa - Lots of visitors to Polperro walk the coast path to Talland and back, which is a delightful way to spend and hour or two. This walk also takes you through the valley at Longcoombe Mill and West Watergate. It's another world, a million miles from any tourist trap! The route includes a short stretch - about 250 yards - on a main road. Refreshments are usually available at Porthallow and Talland as well as Polperro. This link takes you to the Polperro village website walks pages where you can also find the map and directions for a walk west from Polperro to Lansallos Bay, a most beautiful unspoiled place to visit.

Springtime wild garlic, a favorite with foragers and some local chefs

Bodinnick, Polruan and Fowey Walk - Starting at Bodinnick car ferry, where Daphne du Maurier lived in the beautiful Ferryside House, follow Pont Pill creek with amazing views across the estuary to Fowey and on to Lanteglos-by-Fowey church where Daphne was married. Continue to Pencarrow Head above Lantic Bay, which must be one of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches, but be warned, it's a steep walk down to the water, but well worth the detour on a warm day when the crystal sea calls. The walk then takes you along the coastal path to Polruan, where a passenger ferry ambles across the water to the historic port of Fowey. A short walk through the town leads back to the Bodinnick ferry. It's a six mile walk, with some steep ups and downs, but wrapped in romance and history.

Dawn midsummer's day on the south coast

Gribbin Head and the Saints Way - Starting to the west of Fowey at Polkerris this walk passes a couple of lovely often quiet beaches then around Gribbin Head to Menabilly Barton, another home of Daphne du Maurier and the setting for her book Rebecca. There are far reaching views to the east toward Rame Head, than you head out across the peninsula, inland, on the ancient Saints Way returning to Polkerris.

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty.  She's ninety-three today and we don't know where the hell she is. 
Ellen DeGeneres