Catch a train to Bodmin Parkway and then walk to Lanhydrock, Restormel and Lostwithiel to catch the train back home. This outing makes for a great day or afternoon.
On a record-breaking, blazing hot day in September, I finished work and got the 1pm train from St Germans to Bodmin Parkway. I needed to get a return ticket from Lostwithiel because that was the destination for the walk.
This is a 7-mile easy walk with just one challenging hill up to Restormel and a bit further up again before it descends down to Lostwithiel. The rest is pretty level with just gentle slopes. This walk is great for hot balmy days, as there is quite a lot of shade from the trees that line the paths and lanes.
You can download the map shown here, or you can view it on the Ordnance Survey site. You can also download the GPX file for this route. Read my article: Top Tips: Mapping & GPS for Hiking.
Bodmin Parkway to Lanhydrock
I have to admit, this bit was more a mistake than intended. I should have taken the lane that forks left from the station, but it didn’t look like a public footpath – or I simply didn’t see any signs. A bit further, I saw the gate that is marked as the Lanhydrock path. I thought that this must be the one, so off I went. Heading down the path, of course, it took a different direction under the railway and, a little further on, crossing a bridge over the River Fowey.
It suited my mood to carry on with this route. It was a very hot day, and the trees lining the river provided much welcome shade. This trek is very popular with the locals out walking their dogs or themselves, some simply sitting on a bench admiring the flow of the river.
The made-up path follows the river before getting to a junction by a small Lanhydrock car park. Look out for the Brew Box, a converted horse trailer selling coffees, teas, cakes and other delicious looking goodies.
At the junction, it is worth going left to look over the bridge. I’m not sure if it is a weak bridge or is named Weak Bridge.
From the bridge, turn back on yourself and look to what will be a left fork just after the Brew Box site. This heads up an incline to Lanhydrock. At the next junction our route goes left rather than heading on up to National Trust’s Lanhydrock House.
National Trust – Lanhydrock
One of my favourite National Trust properties and estates is Lanhydrock. It’s also close to where I live. It has extensive gardens within a huge estate. The house is wonderful to look around too. It’s a real educational and cultural experience. Oh, and they have an amazing cafe and tea room.
You could make a day of this by extending the walk to include a stroll around Lanhydrock estate and gardens. Entry to the gardens and house is chargeable, but you can gain free entry to the cafe. It’s free to National Trust members.
Accessibility
Much of this path, so far, can be cycled and it is easy access for prams and wheelchair users before this route turns off for less accessible terrain. Take a good look at the maps of this area. It would be possible to do an accessible loop around Lanhydrock and then head back to Bodmin Parkway for the train home.
Lanhydrock to Restormel Castle
Having turned left on the path up to Lanhydrock, it’s marked Newton and, a little further along, there is a spring water well in the hedge. The path is made up and relatively accessible.
You could continue along the made-up path or, as I did, take a left turn along a trek that heads back towards the river. I’m so pleased I did this because it is such a tranquil river walk with the flow of the Fowey and the dappled shade of the trees. The locals clearly know this place well.
Follow the Fowey along before taking a westerly direction along some tributary streams. It emerges out onto a lane. Turn left to come across a water treatment works on the left. Continue walking for nearly a mile to get to a fascinating row of buildings that look as though they have been converted into beautiful dwellings.
Just after these buildings, the route is right and up a fairly steep hill. Thankfully, it is shady but it is narrow. Be prepared to hug the hedge for passing vehicles. This heads up to Restormel Castle. You will get a glimpse of it on the right as you ascend.
Restormel Castle
Restormel is a fine example of a 13th century round castle with a moat and remains of a drawbridge.
As with Lanhydrock, you could extend this walk with a loop around the grounds and a visit to the castle at Restormel.
Read more about it on the English Heritage site for Restormel Castle.
Restormel to Lostwithiel
From the car park at Restormel Castle, head to the corner where there is a style. Follow the hedge of the field up, to the right, and back left to the gate facing you in the corner. Go through this gate and then go through the next gate in front of you (it has a kissing gate on its left side). Continue walking west along the field with the hedge on your left.
When you reach the wooded area, the path takes a left turn to head south. A little further is another gate that opens to a farm lane. Across the lane is another gate. The end of the hedge row you see in front of you upon going through the gate needs to be on your right as you continue to walk south.
It comes out onto a road with a few houses at Hillhead. Turn right and then left to walk westerly in the direction of Poldew.
Some 500 to 600 metres down the path, as it turns to the right, notice a narrow path on the left just before a farm gate. You now have a choice: continue on the path you are on or take a public footpath along the perimeter of a farm field. Both end up on the same road. When I went, the field was full of long grass for silage and, despite the hot weather, it was very wet. There were no views of note from the field.
For the field route, take the lane and after just a few paces, turn right for the gated access to the footpath. Keep the hedge to your left while walking the perimeter of the field. You’ll see a stone block with some sort of fence in the corner that you need to clamber over. It’s not very appropriate for a public footpath, which is clearly marked on the other side.
Busy Roads!
Be careful! Both the lane and the field come out onto a very busy road. It was rush hour on a Friday evening when I did this walk, and it was pretty lairy.
If this road is scary, after a couple of hundred metres it comes to the junction of the A390. This is a fast road with no pedestrian path. The section this route takes is actually part of the Saint’s Way. Well, you need the faith of a saint to hold your nerve when the road is busy. Make sure you are wearing something bright to get yourself seen!
Thankfully, the Saint’s Way forks right off of the A390 after just a short distance and heads up an incline along a lane. Further up, see the sign showing that the Saint’s Way goes off to the right, but Lostwithiel is straight on.
Lostwithiel
Either follow the route I took into town, or stay on the path to get to Lostwithiel. This route weaves through the town’s hilly streets down to the River Fowey. It was lovely to see people enjoying a splash in the river on a hot September evening (not shown in the photo below, but this beachy area was full of families).
There is a Co-Op in the town centre for any provisions needed for the train journey – a refreshing cool drink for me. There is also the delightful Little Ice Cream Shop of Lostwithiel. I had a Rum & Raisin cone complete with a flake. It hit the spot!
Just over the Lostwithiel ancient bridge, on the right, is the train station.
I took the 1pm train out and, having completed the route, I caught the 5pm train from Lostwithiel. So this can easily be done in an afternoon. It can also be extended at Lanhydrock and/or Restormel, as well as spending time discovering Lostwithiel.
Lostwithiel would make a great location to stay for a short break or holiday in Cornwall. As well as being a historic and traditional Cornish town, it is centrally located and could be a base to visit popular Cornish tourist attractions. It is also on the mainline train line, which makes it a great opportunity to get out of the city for some relaxation for a few days. Take a look at these hotels and holiday properties in and around Lostwithiel.
