Walking with Barney – Along the River Fowey
We recently took a few days break in Cornwall. A couple of our walks took in stretches of the River Fowey.
We recently took a few days break in Cornwall. A couple of our walks took in stretches of the River Fowey.
The Fowey rises at Fowey Well, near Brown Willey, the highest point on Bodmin Moor. It links with the River Lerynn before reaching the sea near the town of Fowey. Stretching for approximately 25 miles, the course of the river is mainly through moorland and woodland and is only navigable by larger craft for the last 7 miles.
Golitha Falls:
On the southern side of Bodmin Moor, the River Fowey tumbles through a rocky valley known as Golitha Falls. Part of an English Nature Reserve, it has been some years since my last visit.
The basic toilet facilities in the car park have been upgraded and Inkie's Bar and Smokehouse BBQ now encourages visitors to extend their stay. They also sell locally produced ice cream and being a warm day, it would have been rude to have turned down the opportunity.
On the southern side of Bodmin Moor, the River Fowey tumbles through a rocky valley known as Golitha Falls. Part of an English Nature Reserve, it has been some years since my last visit.
The basic toilet facilities in the car park have been upgraded and Inkie's Bar and Smokehouse BBQ now encourages visitors to extend their stay. They also sell locally produced ice cream and being a warm day, it would have been rude to have turned down the opportunity.
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We were disappointed to find large areas on the route to the main falls fenced and taped off to the public. We were told that a large hole has opened up, possibly relating to copper works dating from 1884. Some stones are still visible, the remains of two wheel-pits built from 1851. The Leats, built as drainage courses for the mine, have now blended into the maize of tracks and pathways across the area. It is believed the mine had four or five shafts, but it was short lived, closing for the final time in 1855.
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The Wheal Victoria copper mine has escaped much investigation in modern times. It is located close to the water course at Golitha. The adits, the original entrances to the mine, are caged off as the mine is now home to colonies of lesser horseshoe, brown long-eared and noctule bats.
Barney found a large flat stone that once he has found fame and fortune, could make a great plinth for his statue.
Barney found a large flat stone that once he has found fame and fortune, could make a great plinth for his statue.
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The Lanhydrock Respryn Ramble:
This circular walk, starting from the car park by Respryn Bridge on the Lanhydrock Estate, takes in beautiful scenery along the River Fowey and through semi-natural ancient woodland. Barney was pleased to find a small beach under Respryn Bridge, reserved for hot dogs to cool off on a warm day.
This circular walk, starting from the car park by Respryn Bridge on the Lanhydrock Estate, takes in beautiful scenery along the River Fowey and through semi-natural ancient woodland. Barney was pleased to find a small beach under Respryn Bridge, reserved for hot dogs to cool off on a warm day.
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Approximately halfway into it’s journey to the sea, the River Fowey passes through the Lanhydrock Estate. Originally owned by the Augustinian priory of St Petroc in 1530, following the dissolution of the monasteries, the estate passed into private hands. In 1620, under the ownership of Sir Richard Robartes of Truro, construction started on the house.
The property was badly damaged by a fire in 1881 and ended the lives of the occupants. Restored as a family home, the First World War brought further tragedy to owners, the Agar-Robartes family. Lanhydrock House now stands in 890 acres and is owned by the National Trust.
The property was badly damaged by a fire in 1881 and ended the lives of the occupants. Restored as a family home, the First World War brought further tragedy to owners, the Agar-Robartes family. Lanhydrock House now stands in 890 acres and is owned by the National Trust.
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The estate is situated just south of Bodmin, recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as one of the largest towns in Cornwall, having a market and sixty-eight dwellings.
At this point the Fowey meanders through leafy woodland, creating welcome dappled shade and an easy ramble for walkers and nature lovers.
RHG15.7.22
At this point the Fowey meanders through leafy woodland, creating welcome dappled shade and an easy ramble for walkers and nature lovers.
RHG15.7.22