St Nectan’s Glen, by its very location, conjures up mystique and magic. Tucked away along a woodland walk beside the River Trivillet, is the magnificent St Nectan’s Waterfall that cascades through the Glen.
The Trivillet flows out to the Cornish north coast Rocky Valley, just up from Tintagel. Just take my word, there’s magic in these parts of Cornwall. As well as fairies, piskies and ancient spirits.
Park Up & Stroll
Head to Trethevy to park up (pay and display), although if you like walking, why not find a quiet spot out of the way nearby? Follow the St Nectan’s Glen website to explain the start of the enchanted walk to the Glen. It’s maybe a mile or so, and you need fairly watertight shoes or boots, although walking trainers would be fine in the summer’s drier months.
Entry & Falls
Entrance is by an admission fee at the top of the Glen. You then walk down the steps to the bottom basin, into which the magnificent 60-foot waterfall gushes.
Visitors wade into the shallow waters of the basin to get a closer look, and feel, of the waterfall. In the summer months, kick off your shoes and paddle in. It may be a tad too cold in the winter months.
The waterfall is quite unusual in that it falls first to an upper basin. Over probably thousands of years, the slate rock wall was slowly worn down by the force of the water and a hole was formed. The hole was gradually enlarged, more so by the winter river levels when the waterfall is more of a raging torrent compared with the much more subtle summer flows.
The feature photo I chose for this was on one of my visits where two girls couldn’t help themselves. They just had to get closer and closer, egging each other on. They got soaked!
Here are a few more photos…
Refreshments and More to See
Head back up the steps to get diverted into the host’s gift shop and cafe. The cafe is in a new and very impressive building now. It serves a good selection of hot and cold dishes, snacks and drinks in lovely surroundings.
Outside, there is more to see and do, including a small but really ornate and unusual wooden house by the children’s play area.
St Nectan’s Glen appeals to all ages. It is a beautiful slice of Cornwall and well worth a visit.
