Lerryn CP - St Winnow Point - St Winnow - Lerryn CP
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The popular and picturesque village of Lerryn sits on the upper reaches of the tidal River Lerryn and the two sides of the village are linked by a lovely old narrow bridge and by a set of stepping-stones. These not the normal stepping-stones often found, but man- made hexagonal ones and they are very frequently used by locals and visitors alike. Locals inform me that the stones are usable up to about two hours either side of high water. I can well recall seeing a local, apparently walking on water across the river in gumboots. I recommend that the stones are visible before you try it.
This walk leads you across the stepping stones and then along the northern side of the wooded banks of the river Lerryn, all the way down to where the Lerryn merges with the River Fowey.
The majority of the woods form part of the Ethy Estate, now managed by the National Trust. As you walk along the path through the woods, often very close to the river, you may spot many wading birds foraging for food, paticularly around low water. Egrets are commonly seen in this area. By the River Fowey, the walk swings north and leads you up the west side of the Fowey to the pretty hamlet of St Winnow. This spot has a lovely old church right on the banks of the Fowey, which incidentally was used as a backdrop for scenes from the very popular BBC Poldark series. St Winnow also has several small yachts and other boats both moored and laid up which you walk by. In addition, there is a small museum of farm antiquities collected over the years by a local man. The museum is open during the summer season for visitors to enjoy. It is located in a large barn and a couple of smaller buildings. Strategically situated nearby is a kiosk offering refreshments.
From here, it is an up and over route through seven fields and over several stiles and so back once again to the Ethy Estate managed woodland. Beyond the fields, you emerge out near the partly renovated St Winnow Mill building and thence up through a wood.
The penultimate section leads you back across fields, skirting the immediate vicinity of large country mansion called Ethy House. Records show that there has been a house and gardens in this vicinity as far back as the 13th Century. It is the long term intention of the National Trust to restore the area to something of its former glory.
The final section is through the northern side of Lerryn and back to the main village car park. Whether by stepping stones or the lovely old bridge all depends on the state of the tide.
England - South West England - Cornwall - River Walk
Features
Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Museum, National Trust, Nature Trail, Pub, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland