Cornwall

Trelissick to Roundwood Quay secluded stroll

Twisting oak branches covered in autumnal leaves frame the view of a calm, broad estuary with boats anchored — Looking through the oak trees towards Roundwood Quay, Trelissick | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel

Walk through historic parkland, along an oak-fringed creek and over a timber bridge to reach the Iron Age promontory fort and 18th-century quay at Roundwood. You'll find wonderful views of the River Fal, a historic landscape and plenty of wildlife to spot.

Near to

Trelissick

Start point

Trelissick National Trust car park, grid ref: SW835396

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly**

* Mostly on surfaced paths, with some steep sections. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs welcome under close control. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Road

This route crosses a road. Please be cautious and check for traffic before crossing.

Address
Trelissick National Trust car park, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6QL
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Truro rail station 5 miles (9km).
National Rail
Perranwell rail station 4 miles (6.5km).
By ferry
Options from Falmouth, Truro and St Mawes. Cars permitted on King Harry Ferry. Steep uphill walk from ferry pontoon.
Fal River ferries
By bus
Bus 493 from Truro, Lemon Quay, to Feock via Trelissick Garden.
Transport for Cornwall
Cycling
Various local routes on quiet lanes and cycleways.
Sustrans
By road
From Falmouth or Truro, follow the A39, then onto the B3289 at Playing Place. Follow brown signposts for Trelissick or signs to the King Harry Ferry. Satnav: TR3 6QL.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Trelissick National Trust car park, grid ref: SW835396
Stage 1
Walk out into the parkland from the car park. Follow the drive to the right, pass through the gate and into Lodge Plantation, following the woodland walk signs to the Old Lodge.
Walking with giants
Trelissick has some remarkable old trees, in particular the oak. From the start of the walk you’ll see these characterful old giants along the drive beside you. Wander among them to fully appreciate their beauty and scale. You may notice that one of the oaks has a massive crack running down its trunk – this was caused by the sheer weight of one of its lower limbs, virtually splitting the tree in two. The limb is now on the ground, preventing further damage to the tree.
Stage 2
Cross the road and follow the zigzag path down through Namphillows Wood, replanted during the storm in 1990.
Stage 3
At the end of the path, turn left and cross over the small stream below the ponds. Go right and over the timber bridge.
Stage 4
At this point you can make a detour into the beautiful flower- and wildlife-rich meadows at Tregew, or carry on to Roundwood Fort.
Stage 5
Follow the path through Lambsclose Plantation, and along the edge of Lamouth Creek. Look out for egrets, shelduck and kingfishers.
Stage 6
Pause to have a look around Roundwood Fort, a great example of an Iron Age promontory fort.
Roundwood in the Iron Age
The remains of an Iron Age promontory fort survives as a large bank and ditch forming the outer defences on the land side, standing up to 10–13ft (3–4m) above the bottom of the ditch). The ditch on the south side acts as a holloway down to the creek. Internally, there's an oval enclosure defended by a further bank and ditch, which is where people would have lived, traded and celebrated. The quay area was probably used as a trading and transport base even then.
Exploring one of the ditches that form Roundwood Fort | © National Trust Images/Solent News & Photography Agency
Stage 7
Walk through the fort and down the steps onto Roundwood Quay.
Shipping
The deep waters of the Fal and Truro Rivers provide safe anchorage for a range of large vessels from all over the world. As economic forces change there may be oil tankers here, or refrigerated ships. Some stay here, with skeleton crews, for many months. You may hear the clank of the King Harry Ferry. This chain ferry is named after King Henry VI, as it once led to a chapel dedicated to him on the eastern bank. It's still an essential link with the Roseland peninsula.
Take a moment at the quay to watch the boats go by | © National Trust Images/Solent News & Photography Agency
Stage 8
On the north end of the quay there is a track, originally for packhorses. Follow this for 300yd (275m) until you reach a gateway on the left marked by an old hollow sycamore tree and a single granite post.
Stage 9
Go into the meadow and turn left back down to the Lamouth Creek path, turn right and retrace your steps. For a longer walk, turn left after the wooden bridge (marked 4 on the map) and carry on along the creekside back to Trelissick along the South Woodland walk.
End point
Trelissick National Trust car park, grid ref: SW835396
Trail map
Map of the Trelissick to Roundwood Quay secluded stroll | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Place

Trelissick

A welcoming house and garden set in an estate with stunning maritime views and lovely woodland walks.

Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6QL

01872862090

trelissick@nationaltrust.org.uk

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