Trelissick to Roundwood Quay
Trelissick sits on its own peninsula with water on three sides. This walk follows the River Fal and offers varying views to narrow creeks and wide expanses of water.
The route also goes inland to woodlands and grazed farmland. Roundwood Quay has echoes of its defensive and industrial past in earthworks and ruins remaining today.
Map
Start:
Trelissick car park, grid ref: SW835396
1
From the car park, have a look at the estate map before walking past the cattle grid into the parkland, with the sea view in front of you. Walk towards the water and you'll get to the beach. Although the boats have changed, the activity hasn't. Trelissick Mansion looks out to the English Channel, with ships taking shelter and re-fuelling, dinghy racing in the 'Carrick Roads' and ferries carrying visitors along the River Fal.
Bench sculptures
Two benches at Trelissick - you'll find them during step 2 of the walk - provide seating but also tell stories about residents of the estate. Look out for a long-horn beetle near the entrance to the park and a mackerel out of water by the beach.
2
With the beach in front of you, turn to the left and you'll find a metal gate. Go though the gate and this will lead you to the woodland walk.
3
Eventually you'll pass a path down to the ferry pontoon on the right and a small building that leads to the garden (this entrance is open Easter to September and various dates in winter). Carefully cross the road to reach the woodland walk on the other side.
King Harry Ferry
Voted one of the most beautiful ferry crossings in the world, this chain-driven vessel carries 300,000 cars a year to the Roseland Peninsula, avoiding a 27 mile (43.5km) road trip. This is an historic crossing point dating back hundreds of years.
4
After a while you'll find a junction in the path. Go to the right, following signs and the path all the way to Roundwood Quay.
King Harry Ferry
Particularly during step 4 of the walk, look out for oystercatchers, curlews, lapwings, fieldfares and kestrels. They're among the many birds that come to the woodlands and foreshore at Trelissick. The mud exposed at low tide gives rich pickings for wading birds.
5
At Roundwood Quay re-trace your steps back to step 4. Behind the current quay is a promontory fort from the Iron Age, now hiding within the woodland. The quay itself was once busy with vessels coming and going. Copper and tin were smelted nearby, with lime kilns built later.
6
When returning to step 4, go uphill and follow the zig-zag path through mixed woodland up to the road. Trelissick is managed today as much for its wildlife as it is for its historic interest and natural beauty. Dead trees stand next to living ones, dramatically increasing the number of insects, animals and birds living in and around the estate, creating greater biodiversity.
7
Before crossing the road, ensure dogs are on leads and take extreme care when crossing to the gate on the opposite side by the Old Lodge. This tiny building was built to match the fashionable Neoclassical mansion at Trelissick. It was later replaced by New Lodge, a bit further up the road. Both are now holiday lets for those who want to stay longer. Once over the road, go straight on until you find a tarmac drive.
8
At the drive, go through the gate to the side of the cattle grid and follow the drive until you find yourself back at the car park where you began.
End:
Trelissick car park, grid ref: SW835396
