Cowlands, Coombe & Roundwood Quay from Trelissick

Cornwall AONB Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

The River Fal and Carrick Roads make up one of the most attractive and unspoilt estuaries in the country. This Cornwall walk has intriguing glimpses of the river and its heavily tidal creeks with small hamlets which physically have changed little over the last hundred years. The walk starts at Trelissick the impressive National Trust property which has one of Cornwall's premier gardens.

Leave your car in Trelissick car park (grid ref SW837396) and walk westwards through its parkland setting (taking in the view down river to Falmouth) to the Old Lodge. Cross (with care) the B3289 and follow the winding track down through the woods then branch off left and then turn right on to the track/road to the creekside hamlet of Cowlands where oyster fishing still continues.

Just up the hill turn right via a signposted path through ancient oak woods which will lead you to Lower Lanner Farm. Cross the road and the next field turning right on to the downhill Class 3 road to Old Kea church (well worth a visit). Continue up a steep field route past some abandoned lobster pots to Trevean where you turn left at the cottages and make for Halwyn. Just before reaching this property a short detour to the left will reveal large ships moored in this part of the Fal awaiting cargoes, under arrest by the Admiralty Marshal or due for the breakers yard. On the other side of the river is Tolverne, an embarkation point for US troops on D-Day having been visited by General Eisenhower.

Go past Halwyn, being restored by the present tenant, and turn to the left across a field and head for Coombe via a 'green tunnel' walking along the shore back to Cowlands. If you've run out of steam at this point you can retrace your steps to Trelissick otherwise near the top of the hill going south from Cowlands take a left down the old pack-horse route to Roundwood Quay. Here you'll find an Iron Age fort and a granite quay in remarkably good condition built to export tin and copper to South Wales.

Then follow the footpath along the north side of Lamouth Creek and wend your way back to Trelissick. It is worth spending some time here in the gardens, small museum, art gallery and restaurant.

Some of the paths can be a bit boggy in the Spring but the area generally is a mecca for birds- including herons, little egrets, blacktailed godwits and oystercatchers.

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