I’d taken a couple of days off of work and, on the first day, I took the opportunity to get out for a walk after lunch. It was early December and the weather was dull, cold and wet. With just a few hours of daylight left, it needed to be a fairly short walk. I set out on a 6-mile walk around Rame Head. It’s one of my favourites, being local to me, but it’s a must – if only part of it – if you are visiting the area.
I chose Cawsand as a starting point. Access is reasonable for some pushchairs and wheelchairs – the chunky wheel types. There is a car park at Rame Head if you simply want to get out and take in the views and fresh sea air for just a few metres of walking. It’s good for the soul!
Rame Head
Having parked up at Cawsand – there were a few spaces along the road during the winter – I headed up Forder Lane in a southwest direction heading to Rame. After the left fork and further up the incline of the road was Rame Church. I love this building, it has such an unusual tower and spire.
Just before the Coastguard’s lookout, there’s a gate onto the coast path. Every trip to Rame Head deserves a climb up to St Michael’s Chapel atop this beautiful headland. It’s a tiny disused chapel and the roof slates are the same colour as its walls. The seaward side of the chapel served as a gunnery in previous wars. Hardly surprising given the magnificent views across Plymouth Sound to one side and the coastline of Cornwall on the other.
Penlee Point
Walking back down from the chapel, I picked up the coast path heading northeast onto Penlee Point. Although I didn’t go down to the Point today, it’s worth seeing if visiting the area. Aside from the rugged coast and dramatic seas, there is Queen Adelaide’s Grotto, dating back to 1828 for King William IV and Queen Adelaide’s visit to Mount Edgcumbe.
Cawsand and Kingsand
The coast path is more easy-going from here as I walked on to Cawsand. Once I was back in the village, I walked down the hill to the seafront and the heart of Cawsand and onto Kingsand. Just coming out of the second lockdown, it was lovely to see one or two shops and the pubs open once again. These businesses have had such a hard ride due to the restrictions put in place for COVID.
Cawsand and Kingsand are usually thriving villages and attract thousands of visitors and holidaymakers. It’s a beautiful area for the coast and has small, safe beaches with views across Plymouth Sound. There is Mount Edgecumbe, a national park, and Whitsand Bay, all within just a few miles. It’s also a great base to venture further into Cornwall and Devon (there is a river ferry from Cawsand to Plymouth in the summer months).
Look here for some great hotels and holiday properties in Cawsand, Kingsand and SE Cornwall.
Grab a book on Cawsand, Kingsand and SE Cornwall to inspire you while you are relaxing on the beach or on the terrace.
It was a lovely 2.5-hour walk – about 6 miles. This Rame Head walk can be expanded quite easily for more challenging hikes. Some friends from work and I did a 13.5-mile charity challenge that took in the whole Rame Head and Mount Edgcumbe peninsular. Read my article: Rame Peninsula.
