Skip to content
A wide, gentle river at Lanhydrock surrounded by lush green beech trees
The River Fowey at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/Harry Davies
Cornwall

Lanhydrock Respryn Ramble

This circular walk from Respryn car park, near Bodmin, crosses a historic bridge, taking in the wildlife along the River Fowey and on through semi-natural ancient woodland. Look out for otters, kingfishers and lichen-covered ancient trees – plus traces of Cornwall's tin mining past.

Road

This walk begins with a short, narrow road section over Respryn Bridge. Please look out for bicycles and cars when joining the road.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Respryn National Trust car park, grid ref: SX099636

Step 1

Take the track and footbridge next to the car park entrance, then turn left over Respryn Bridge. Turn right and follow the footpath alongside the river.

A pale stone bridge with one arch visible, over a wide, slow-running river, surrounded by green trees
Respryn Bridge over the River Fowey on the Lanhydrock Estate | © National Trust/Sue Brackenbury

Step 2

Continue down the river and admire the magnificent veteran and ancient oak trees. Look out for dippers, wagtails and the more elusive kingfishers and otters enjoying the River Fowey. At dusk you can see Daubenton's bats hawking over the water, catching insects.

Step 3

Cross the wooden Kathleen Bridge, which was rebuilt in 1992 by the Royal Engineers. Its predecessor was swept away by floods.

Step 4

You're now in Higginsmoor Wood, a semi-natural ancient woodland. The area was previously used for tin streaming, one of the earliest forms of tin mining. You can still see where the water was channelled to allow workers to extract the tin. Turn right up the hill.

An old deer wall covered in moss and ferns, surrounded by trees in leaf
The old deer wall in the woodland at Lanhydrock | © National Trust/Laura Fox

Step 5

Walking up the hill, you'll see hornbeams either side of the path. These look very similar to beech trees but have a sinewy appearance to their trunks, and their leaves are smaller and more serrated.

Step 6

Go through the first red gate and turn right along Newton Lane.

Step 7

At the end of Newton Lane you'll find yourself at the bottom of the Beech Avenue, which leads to Lanhydrock House situated within the historic parkland. Turn right down the hill.

A stone lodge with windows, next to two burgundy-painted gates, leading to a beech avenue
Newton Lodge at the end of the Beech Avenue at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/Rupert Truman

Step 8

As you near the end of the road you will see horse chestnut trees on your left, a family favourite for conkers in September and October. Cross the road, through the red gates onto Station Drive. Walk past Station Lodge and take the track to the right. Go over the wooden footbridge back into Respryn car park.

A broad driveway runs between tall trees in leaf
Station Drive on the Lanhydrock Estate | © National Trust/Laura Fox

End point

Respryn National Trust car park, grid ref: SX099636

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the Lanhydrock Respryn Ramble
Map of the Lanhydrock Respryn Ramble | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Family exploring the cycle trails at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Trail
Trail

Lanhydrock Parkland walk 

Get to know Lanhydrock's varied parkland on this moderate circular walk, as you explore its paths through woodland, riverside and open pasture – plus the striking Beech Avenue.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.1 (km: 4.96)
Visitors in the garden in spring walk on a path beneath magnolia and cherry blossom, with a bank of narcissi in the background, at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Trail
Trail

Lanhydrock Garden explorer trail 

The garden at Lanhydrock is full of hidden details to discover, a glorious mix of history and nature that can be experienced throughout the year.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.5 (km: 0.8)
A low wooden bench looks out over a broad river, surrounded by oaks and other trees in leaf
Trail
Trail

Lanhydrock Great Wood and Beech Avenue walk 

Lanhydrock is home to a wide variety of veteran and ancient trees, perfect homes for wildlife – and your companions on this gentle circular walk.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
Family in parkland Lanhydrock
Trail
Trail

Lanhydrock Deer Wall walk 

This long walk is the best way to take in the wider Lanhydrock Estate. See the marks generations have left on the estate, from the medieval deer wall to the more recent tin streaming remains and quarry.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.3 (km: 6.88)

Get in touch

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Family cycle trail
Activity
Activity

Outdoor activities at Lanhydrock 

Find out how to take part in outdoor activities across the Lanhydrock estate, from cycling and running to horse riding and fishing.

Two children sitting on a sofa eating shortbread biscuits in the café at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Lanhydrock 

Find out where to stop for food and drink on the Lanhydrock estate, along with the best places to shop for souvenirs and gifts.

Cattle grazing in the parkland at Lanhydrock, Cornwall amid tall trees
Article
Article

Visiting the estate at Lanhydrock 

There are lots of things to look out for while exploring the outdoors, from a wide variety of wildlife species to the hidden history of the Lanhydrock estate. Here, we round up some of the things you can expect to see.

A person walks along the South West Coast Path at Wheal Coates in Cornwall, with the blue sea and a sandy beach visible beneath them.

Walking in Cornwall 

From strolls that reward you with stunning views of the South West coast to gentle inland meanders, these are some of the best walks in Cornwall.