Cornwall

Cotehele circular walk

Explore Cotehele on a circular walk and discover some hidden places that are a haven for wildlife. The walk takes in the quay, stream and weir along to the Morden valley. Take time to discover the secluded Cotehele Mill, then wander through the trees up to the house.

Near to

Cotehele

Start point

The Edgcumbe tea-room at Cotehele Quay.

Address
Cotehele Quay car park, Cotehele, St Dominick, Cornwall, PL12 6TA.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Take the Tamar Valley Line from Plymouth to Calstock station. From there it's a 1½-mile walk, signposted from the station, along the River Tamar and up a steep hill through the woods. Follow the signs. Bring a torch for late afternoons in the winter months.
Find out more about train services
By bus
The closest bus stop is in the village of Calstock. Take the Transport for Cornwall bus service number 79/79A service from Callington/Tavistock and stop at the bus stop on Calstock Quay. Once at Calstock, follow the directions by foot.
Further information about bus services
By ferry
Plymouth Boat Trips host cruises a few times a month along the River Tamar on route to Calstock and offers passengers the opportunity to stop off at Cotehele Quay.
Further information about ferry services.
Cycling
NCN27, 9 miles. Hilly route from Tavistock to Cotehele.
On foot
Cotehele is a 1½-mile walk from Calstock along the River Tamar and up a steep hill through the woods. Follow the signs. Bring a torch for late afternoons in the winter months.
By road
From Plymouth and Callington, follow the A388 towards St Mellion. At the Vernigo Roundabout (for the St Mellion Resort) take the exit towards St Dominick. Follow the brown signs through the villages of St Dominick and Bohetherick where you will arrive at Cotehele Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the road to arrive at the lower car park at Cotehele Quay.
From Tavistock, follow the A390 through the village of Gunnislake. Continue on the main road pass the Co-op petrol station on your left hand side. Turn left after you see the brown sign at St Ann's Chapel and then continue to follow the brown signs. We recommend entering Cotehele via the A390 if you are in a large vehicle.
Dogs
Dogs on leads allowed on the estate. Dogs welcome at The Edgecumbe food outlet.
Car park
All car parks at Cotehele are pay and display. Charges are £1 for up to 1 hour, £3 for up to 3 hours and £5 for over 3 hours. Free for National Trust members. No overnight parking or camping.
Toilet
Café
The Edgcumbe at Cotehele Quay serves tea, coffee, hot chocolate, pasties and tasty treats throughout the day.
Picnic area
At quay and play area.
Play area
Near car park.
Shop
The shop and plant centre selling gifts and plants. The Bull Pen Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting and selling the work of local artists. Second-hand bookshop for pre-loved reads.
Restaurant
The Barn Restaurant serves a selection of drinks, cakes, cream teas and snacks throughout the day. The lunch menu includes hot meals, sandwiches and light bites.
Designated parking
Accessible car park near house.
Accessible toilet
There are two accessible toilets located on the Cotehele estate. One in the Farmyard by the main visitor toilets and the other on the quay. There is no Changing Place facility available at Cotehele. The nearest Changing Places facility is available at Tesco, Tavistock Road, Callington, PL17 7RD, during store opening hours.
Steps/uneven terrain
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
The Edgcumbe tea-room at Cotehele Quay.
Stage 1
Start your walk at the Edgcumbe tea-room. Follow the green arrows and signpost for Cotehele Mill past the Discovery Centre. Continue along the road until you reach the stone bridge.
Stage 2
Follow the trail into the woodland with the stream on your left until you reach a junction on the footpath.
Stage 3
There are two junctions here to explore a little further and visit either Cotehele Mill (at Step 4) or the Morden Weir (at step 5). To continue the circular walk, bear right and follow the footpath up the hill.
Stage 4
To visit Cotehele Mill, follow the first path on the left taking you down towards a small wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the path past the meadow to reach the mill.
Stage 5
To visit the Morden Weir, bear left at the second junction’
The weir and footbridge at Cotehele | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Stage 6
Go through the white gate, where you will see Elbow Cottage in front of you and a fork in the road on your right. Follow the higher road on the left which is signposted to Cotehele.
Stage 7
Pass both entrances to the main car park on your left and continue to follow the road.
Stage 8
Beyond this point, the path is not accessible for wheelchairs and prams. To take a shortcut back to Cotehele Quay and the starting point by turning right and following the road down the steep hill. To continue following the current route, turn left and follow the road towards Cotehele House, gardens, restaurant and shop.
Stage 9
When you can see the reception in front of you bear right across the courtyard and go through the brown gate behind the toilet block. Follow the path until you reach a junction.
Stage 10
Once you have reached the junction, take the sharp right path downhill to reach Calstock lookout. Please note, the path here is steep and uneven underfoot.
View of Calstock viaduct and the River Tamar Cotehele | © National Trust Images/Mel Peters
Stage 11
Follow the path downhill until you reach the small chapel.
Stage 12
Continue along the path, keeping the fields on your left and woods on you right until you return to Cotehele Quay car park.
End point
Cotehele Quay car park
Trail map
Trail map for Cothehele circular walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

The people cycling on a paved track through green-leaved woodland

Trail

Plymbridge Woods family cycle trail

Devon

A ten-mile cycle trail along the old Great Western Railway, through woodland and open countryside, suitable for children of of all ages.

Trail

Polruan to Polperro rollercoaster walk

A strenuous walk high above turquoise seas and white sandy beaches, and through prime fishing and smuggling territory.

A stretch of coast between Looe and Polperro, showing Looe Island in the distance

Trail

Hendersick and Talland Bay Loop

This circular walking trail takes you along the South West Coast Path, with views over Looe Island and the South East Cornwall coast.

View of bay with clear blue sea and grassy headland beyond

Trail

Lantivet Bay circular walk

Discover a landscape with a rich fishing and smuggling heritage on this circular walk around Lantivet and Lantic bays in Cornwall.

St Dominick, near Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6TA

01579351346

cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk

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

Visit website

Article

Exploring the Cotehele estate

There's lots to discover at the Cotehele estate. Miles of pathways lead you through ancient woodland, past a historic chapel, and to an important Victorian quay.

Visitors exploring the gardens at Cotehele, Cornwall

Article

Visiting Cotehele's garden

Take a stroll around the 5.5 hectares of Cotehele's garden where you’ll discover terraced herbaceous borders, a lily pond as well as a medieval stewpond and dovecote.

Image shows two women walking their dog along a gravel path surrounded by green hedgerows.

Article

Visiting Cotehele with your dog

Dogs are welcome to join you at Cotehele. There are miles of paths and loads of space where they can stretch their legs and bowls of clean water once they’re thirsty. Cotehele is a two pawprint rated place.

Visitors looking at crafts within the Bull Pen Gallery at Cotehele

Article

Eating and shopping at Cotehele

Tuck into a cream tea at one of Cotehele’s cafés, find an eco-friendly gift or plant at the shop, and discover local artists at The Bull Pen Gallery.

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Two female visitors standing on the rocks at Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

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.