THE Post’s partnership with iWalk Cornwall continues this week, with another walk for our readers to try.
A circular walk via the quays, engine house and mills of the National Trust-owned Cotehele Estate, incorporates the house and gardens if walkers wish.
Situated alongside the River Tamar purposely for trade, by Georgian times the house had become a tourist attraction because it was so antiquated, and has changed little since. The land and scenery, which surrounds it, are redolent of life led over centuries of miners and sea traders alike. The winding woodland walk passes through Danescombe valley past Danescombe Sawmill, engine house and mine and on past an 18th century derelict paper mill.
Once through the mossy woodland trees the walk follows a lane and through a field of donkeys from the nearby Tamar Valley Donkey Park and on to the village of Metherell.
Once through the village, having passed the Carpenter’s Arms, the walk passes through farmland in the Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and down into the valley, following a stream to the picturesque weir where it joins the river. As the path follows the valley it passes Cotehele Mill before arriving back at the historic quay.
This walk is a very good winter and spring walk. Without leaves on the trees there are many beautiful views of the River Tamar and Calstock, and in the spring successional flowering of daffodils, primroses and bluebells, and even after heavy rain is still suitable for walking boots.
Highlights:
• Cotehele Tudor mansion and gardens (optional),
• Historic mills, engine houses, quays and limekilns,
• Beautiful views of the River Tamar and Calstock,
• Daffodils and wildflowers in spring.
The total distance is approximately 3.9 miles/6.2km with a ‘moderate’ grade. There is parking at the Cotehele Quay car park (NB coins only), PL12 6TA with the start of the walk also being at this location. Recommended footwear: walking shoes or trainers in summer, walking boots in winter. OS Explorer: 108.
Dogs — only two stiles on this walk and they are reported as OK for dogs (one has a gate alongside and the other has quite a large gap beneath).
To share photographs from the walk, post to iWalk Cornwall on Facebook or tweet to @iwalkc. They can also be emailed with any feedback or suggestions at [email protected]
For more than 200 more circular walks in Cornwall, download the iWalk Cornwall app from the App Store or Google Play.
The app is free and each walk only £1.99, which provides detailed directions, alerts at each point and if a person goes off course, historical and environmental points of interest and even works offline.