Great South West Walk

Thursday August 30

Section 50. LOOE TO PORTWRINKLE. Miles: 7.6. Grading: Strenuous

Start time and location
Could you please report for registration at the Quayside car park in Looe at 12noon.
The walk will commence at 12.30pm.

Parking
Plenty of parking avaialble at start points.

BUS SERVICES
First Western National runs an all year service, the wonderful 81a, which links Looe to Plymouth by the coast road as far as Crafthole and some services stop in Portwrinkle. Confirmation of all buses should be obtained from Traveline on 0870 608 2608
www.traveline.org.uk before relying on a service.

TRAINS
At the time of writing, it is still possible to take the wonderful Looe Valley Line from Looe to Liskeard, to join the main Penzance - Plymouth line there. This service as an all year round railway is currently under major threat of closure, or serious reduction in the service.
For information on train services, contact 08457 484950.

TAXIS
Reliable taxi firms include: Looe Cabs (01503 265983) Crystal Cabs - 01503 263636, Kells Cabs - 01503 263532, and Looe Taxis - 01503 262405. In other areas, you could ring the National Taxi Hotline on 0800 654321, and you will be put through to the nearest participating cab firm.

MAPS
Ordnance Survey Landranger Series (scale 1:50 000) - Number 201, Plymouth & Launceston area.
Ordnance Survey Explorer Series (scale 1:25 000) - Number 107 - St Austell & Liskeard, and Number 108 - Lower Tamar Valley & Plymouth.

GENERAL
West Looe: accommodation, cafés, two pubs, some shops, post office, main car park, public telephone and toilets.
East Looe: accommodation, cafés, restaurants, pubs, shops, post office, seasonal Tourist Information Centre, railway station, some parking, public telephones and toilets.
Millendreath: parking.
Seaton: very limited accommodation, café, pub, post office/general shop,parking, public telephone and toilets.
Downderry: very limited accommodation, restaurant, pub, post office/general shop, public telephone and toilets.
Portwrinkle: seasonal refreshment hut, car park, public telephone and toilets.
Crafthole (0.5 mile/800 m inland): pub, post office/general shop and public telephone.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Looe Tourist Information Centre (seasonal): The Guildhall, Fore Street, Looe, Cornwall. PL13 1AA. Tel: 01503 262072.

The Route
LOOE TO PORTWRINKLE

Annual Guide Section 54 (7.6 miles – 12.2 km) Grading: Strenuous

Total Ascent: 1808 feet—551 m

This section starts from Looe bridge. From the bridge, with your back to West Looe (i.e. facing a small parade of shops, including the First and Last shop), turn right into Fore Street, where you will find the main town and facilities, including the Tourist Information Centre, then follow it until you reach a left hand turn with Ye Olde Salutation Inn on your right, and the Ship Inn on your left. The Path may be rejoined by taking this left hand turn, and going straight on into East Cliff at the crossroads, and then straight on to pass a house called Jax. From this point, you'll have a good view of Looe beach below, Rame Head to your left, and, to your right, part of Looe Island.

Carry straight on, and the path bears to the right (with now unused steps on the left). Take the right hand fork. This particular part of the path is often good for wild flowers, even in the depths of winter. Ignore the path off left opposite a granite seat. When you reach a huge property on your right, turn right into Plaidy Lane. In a while, you will come to a small fence on your right with a sign saying 'No dumping': look to the cliff on your left, and, depending on the time of year, you should be able to see some fulmars, which always come in from the sea to breed. This colony here is well established, and it is always worth a stop to observe them.

Continue down to pass Plaidy beach on your right, then bear left to keep on the road. Then turn right after an electricity pole, as signposted. Carry straight on at the top, then go down some steps to the left of a property called Kingsford. When you get to the end of these steps, take a couple of paces to your right, then go down some more steps to lead you into Millendreath, formerly a holiday village. Walk round to follow the line of the beach, then, ignoring the road on your left, follow a small road to keep seaward and upward. This road turns into concrete, then into a bridleway, and emerges onto a road with 'Keep clear' on it. Keep straight on this road, and turn right as signed to Seaton to enter the National Trust’s Bodigga Cliff.

(If you wish to visit the Woolly Monkey Sanctuary, keep straight on this road for some 1.25 miles (2 km), the closest direct access from the Coast Path.)

THE WOOLLY MONKEY SANCTUARY

Originally established in 1964 by the late Leonard Williams (brother of the guitarist, John), this wonderful place is now run as a cooperative company, and exists to provide a stable environment for a colony of Amazonian woolly monkeys, the original generation of monkeys having been rescued from zoos or from people keeping them as pets. The monkeys have their own territory, comprising gardens and heated indoor rooms, and can roam freely. Because of this, access is not, unfortunately, allowable from the Coast Path itself, but you can reach it on foot as above, should you wish to. The Sanctuary is usually open from April to September, and is closed on Fridays and Saturdays (so that the monkeys can have a weekend off). It is a fantastic place, and well worth making a half day available for a visit. It is wise to check whether it will be open at the time of your visit, and you could contact the Sanctuary on 01503 262532, or see www.ethicalworks.co.uk/monkeysanctuary

From the turn off, keep to the path with the hedge and fence to your left and you come out onto a green area with benches, a lovely place for a break.

For some reason, I always think of Bodigga Cliff as the Golden Country from George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', and it is always peaceful here, as the majority of holiday-makers have no idea of this beautiful place’s existence. The National Trust has recently made this picnic area suitable for people of varying abilities, and a nearby parking space means accessibility for wheelchair users. As an added interest, you will often see buzzards, now known as ‘tourists’ eagles’, in this area.

Still keeping left, take the downward path, and your route will be confirmed as you walk towards a marker post. Having climbed a gate and four stiles, the path leads into a wood, which is always very attractive in springtime. Go across a wooden bridge / barrier, which brings you out immediately in front of the Monkey Sanctuary grounds, which is why there are ‘danger’ signs around. Keep right by a gate to go downwards, where there is an interesting interpretation board about Bucklawren Woods. Go straight on, ignoring a path off to your right. Go round an old stile and in approximately 100 yards (91 m) you begin a very steep climb, which heralds the start of a series of steep ascents and descents for the next 0.5 mile (800 m) or so until you reach some steps which lead you down to the road.

Turn right (if you're travelling in the other direction, don't be tempted to turn off the road too early - wait for the Coast Path sign). Walk down the hill into Seaton, and, if you require toilets or a telephone, turn sharp right to the popular all year round café where there are toilets. Turn right into Bridge Road. On arrival at Seaton, make a mental note of whether there is any flooding of the nature reserve, as you may need this information a bit later! Continue along this road.

SEATON

In front of you is the Seaton Local Nature Reserve, which opened in autumn, 1997, as part of the regeneration of Seaton. It is an attractive reserve, famous for its damselflies, and contains a sensory garden, amongst other features. There is a pleasant flat walk up the Seaton Vallue to the Copley Arms at Hessenford. There is also a shop, post office, pub and bistro in Seaton.

The official route to Downderry

If you wish to take the road and be official, it is very simple as you just keep on the main road, but it won't do much for you spiritually, as there is no pavement, and it is not uncommon to have to watch a double-decker bus trying to pass a van!

Tidal route to Downderry

There is a low tide only route along the beach to Downderry—the choice is your. The alternative route is available at most states of the tide. Do, however, take into consideration both the time and the height of the tide. Tide tables showing the height of the tide can be purchased cheaply at many local shops, and times are published in the Association’s Annual Guide. If you wish to take the alternative, turn right to pick up a walkway, which is actually part of the coastal defence; although not ideal, it will save you some beach walking. Keep on the defence until you can go no further, then take the steps down onto the beach. You now have various alternatives, depending on your needs and whether there has been any flooding in the area.

The first turn off to the left by a stream leads to the toilets and shops of Downderry, and the second leads you to the Inn on the Shore public house. The third turn is a slipway and should be ignored, and the final option gives you the most off-road walking and leads you alongside a school. Please, however, remember that this final option should be avoided if there is evidence of flooding, especially at the Nature Reserve. You need to cross a stream, which is usually done by stepping stones, and won't cause you any problems at all. However, this becomes awkward after heavy rain, and you'll make things easier for yourself if you take a different alternative and thus avoid a big jump, waiting for a local to tell you the best place to cross the stream, getting wet or, usually, all three.

Coast Path continues

Whichever route you have taken, you should now be on the main road, and you should follow this road to take you out of Downderry (i.e. turn right if you have taken any of the beach paths). Continue on the road to pass the National Speed Limit Applies sign, and you come to a very sharp bend. In front of you is a house called Downderry Lodge, and immediately to the right is a Coast Path sign. The path now zigzags steeply up to bring you out onto the highest point of the South Cornwall Coast Path (462 feet: 141 m). Take the path off to the right and prepare to be dazzled!

The path to Portwrinkle is very simple to follow and will lead you into the village of Portwrinkle on a strenuous but exhilarating path.

When you reach Portwrinkle the harbour can be easily reached on your right, and you simply keep on this road through this lovely, quiet village.

If your journey ends here or you need supplies, continue on up the hill for 0.5 mile (800 m) to the village of Crafthole, where you will find a pub almost ahead of you, a general store by turning right at the crossroads, and a bus stop by turning left. If you wish to go to Downderry, Seaton, Looe or Polperro, the 81A bus leaves from the shelter, although some services do actually run from Portwrinkle itself. If you wish to go to Torpoint or Plymouth, you need the opposite side of the road to the shelter, and to be a bit further along the road, outside a stone and pebbledash rendered house called Seaview.

If you have any question on any of the above please do not hesitate to contact one the event organisers found on the Contact us page click here

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