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Walks from the Royal Inn
There are many great walks in our little corner of the world, but I have listed our favourite 3 below.
5.5 miles (approximately 2 ½ hours)
This spectacular walk takes you to one of Cornwall’s most charming villages, Polkerris, the walk then loops round onto the Saints Way to reveal the stunning views across Par and the ‘Clay Country’ in the distance.
From the train station turn right onto Eastcliffe Road and follow it past the library to reach a junction, here you need to look for public footpath signs that will lead you all the way down to the beach.
However, once you have walked through Par Sands Holiday Park you will reach a private road just before you see the sand dunes, once you have reached the road you need to turn left and walk towards the car park to find the coast path to the Gribbin Head.
Join the coast path enjoying the views across the beach and scenery of Mevagissey in the distance to right. Follow the path for some time to eventually reach the picturesque village of Polkerris, where you will find toilets and refreshments.
The RNLI lifeboat was once stationed at Polkerris (1859-1922) and served the Fowey area, crewed by men from Polkerris, Fowey and Par. For over 60 years the boathouse (now a restaurant ‘Sam’s on the Beach’), was at the heart of the community. For more information and an artist’s impression of the boathouse in action, see the interpretation board found on the rear exterior wall of the restaurant.
Once you have finished exploring Polkerris, from the beach with the sea behind you, you will see public toilets signs to the far right leading you along the coast path. This is a steep and strenuous climb, which continues up hill and winds round to eventually reach the top. When you have reached the top ignore signs to the right and continue forward to cross the field, ensuring you stick to the footpath that leads to a gate.
At the gate turn right and continue forward (you are now on the Saints Way), passing the signs for Polkerris Beach until you reach a T-junction, here you need to turn left taking extra care as there is a particularly nasty bend. Follow the path down the hill until you reach the end of it, although very difficult to see just a short distance on the left hand side there is a gap in the hedge that leads into a field to continue along the Saints Way. Take extra care when crossing the road! Cross over the stile and straight on over the field to reach a private road and gap / style in the hedge, which you need to cross and continue walking straight on and down the field to reveal the stunning views across Par and Clay Country in the distance. There is a faint path that you can follow down to the bottom of the field with the lake in the distance directly in front of you.
Follow the path until it forks and follow the signs to the left for the coast path that will lead you to where you started from the beach car park. Once have reached the car park turn left and make your way to the beach.
After enjoying a well earned rest at the beach, and for a more scenic return journey, find the boardwalk that is situated in the centre of the beach and follow it until you reach the road. Here turn left and continue forward until you see the huge granite boulder that points to the clay trails (Eden 3.5 miles & St Blazey 1.75 miles.)
This well made path leads you over further board walks to reach a small pine tree woodland. Where the road folks turn right and then immediately left, cross the road to follow the clay trails/cycle routes that will eventually lead you to the train station. There are a couple of spots where it can be a little confusing but try to look out for either a public footpath sign or the blue cycle signs, that will lead through the Par Recreation Ground Track & Park.
Keeping the running track on your right as you walk though the park, continue forward until you reach the train station.
Souce: http://cornwallmaps.org/
10.7 miles
The day begins in the fishing town of Mevagissey, but try not to spend too long wandering the streets and waterfront as a Path of roller coaster climbs awaits! High cliffs pass rocky coves between Pentewan and Charlestown produces dramatic scenery, but tiring walking. The inland china clay works around St Austell come in and out of view. The clay industry boomed in the 19th century, resulting in the formation of the ‘Cornish Alps’, and continues today with 80% used to make paper.
There are many steps to climb along this stretch as the Path continues to rise and fall past Phoebe’s Point and Silvermine Point. Charlestown, with its beautiful historic harbour and quay, provides a welcome spot for rest and refreshment before the final stretch of the journey to Par. A diversion around china clay works at Par, leads you to the pubs and cafes and large expanse of beach at Par Sands.
8.8 miles
The picturesque town of Fowey lies at the mouth or the River Fowey or (in Cornish faw-i), the river of beech trees. Allow a day for your excursion. Fowey is a town steeped in history, take a look in the Daphne du Maurier shop, discover the pulpit made from the remains of a Spanish galleon in St. Fimbarrus church or simply watch the china clay ships, fishing boats and yachts plying the deep-water harbour.
This walk starts from the town quay, where there are public toilets (open all year) and opportunity to buy refreshments. Leave the south side of the quay, following the road uphill, take a left turn, towards Readymoney, following the esplanade which runs adjacent to the estuary, past Victorian and Edwardian guest houses. Look out for Fowey Hall, the elegant hotel that inspired Kenneth Graham's novel 'The Wind in the Willows'. Just past the entrance to Daglands Road, look over the seaward wall; you can see the ruins of the (15th century blockhouse. Imagine the port under attack by the French and Spanish, a chain was slung across the harbour entrance between the blockhouses to keep out enemy ships.
Now look out for the Acorn symbol on the footpath signs, these will be your guide as far as Polkerris.
