Cornwall

Danescombe Valley walk at Cotehele

Starting at the Cotehele Quay car park, this trail through the picturesque Danescombe Valley passes a number of fascinating relics from the area's rich mining history.

Near to

Cotehele

Start point

Cotehele Quay car park. Grid ref: SX423681

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.6 (km: 4.16)

Duration2 hours

Dog friendly***

*Some parts of the route are more challenging. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This trail is not recommended for people with reduced mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, with some conditions. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

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. From there, it's a lovely 1½-mile walk (signposted from the station) along the River Tamar and up a steep hill through the woods. Follow the signs. If you're visiting during the winter months, we recommend bringing a torch for the walk back.
By road
From Plymouth/Callington: Follow the A388 towards St Mellion. At the Vernigo Roundabout (for the St Mellion Estate), take the exit towards St Dominick. Follow the brown signs through the villages of St Dominick and Bohetherick, and you'll eventually arrive at Cotehele Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the road to arrive at the lower car park at Cotehele Quay, or drive up through a white gate for the upper car park near the house and garden.
From Tavistock: Follow the A390 through the village of Gunnislake. Continue on the main road, past the Co-op petrol station on the left. Turn left after you see the brown sign at St Ann's Chapel, then continue to follow the brown signs. If you're in a large vehicle, we recommend entering Cotehele via the A390.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Cotehele Quay car park. Grid ref: SX423681
Stage 1
Take the path above the car park, which leads into the woods. Continue along this path, keeping the fields on your right and the woodland on your left.
Cotehele's intertidal habitat | © National Trust Images/Steven Haywood
Stage 2
Continue along the path, past the Chapel-in-the-Wood on your right, and the Valley Garden. Eventually, you'll get to a viewpoint that looks out towards the Calstock Viaduct.
Stage 3
Follow the path up the steep slope from the viewpoint until you reach a junction. Turn right and take the route down the hill towards Calstock.
Stage 4
At the bottom of the hill, you'll reach another junction. Turn left here and continue along the road, past the ruins of Danescombe Sawmill. Keep going until you reach a group of cottages.
Danescombe Sawmill
Built in 1878, Danescombe Sawmill was one of the most advanced water-powered sawmills in the west of England, using cutting-edge technology such as an American turbine wheel, racks, saw benches and band saws to produce around 2,000 feet of timber per hour. The turbine also powered haulage of timber up from Danescombe Quay. Disused since at least 1905, the preserved sawmill ruin now provides shelter for wildlife, as well as a glimpse into the valley's industrial past.
Danescombe Sawmill | © Mel Peters
Stage 5
At the cottages, cross over the bridge and continue along the track ahead of you, keeping the stream on your left. Walk all the way through the woodland until you reach a road.
Stage 6
From this point, you can continue following the designated route or take a detour (Step 7) to visit the ruins of Danescombe Papermill. To continue following the route, turn left when you reach the road and then almost immediately take the next left, turning back onto a track and through the gate. Continue to Step 8.
Stage 7
To visit the ruins, walk down the road and take the track on the right, which then forks. Take the track on the immediate right of Danescombe Cottage. Keep the stream on your right and follow the track a short distance to the ruins. You'll need to return to the road to continue the route back to Cotehele.
Stage 8
Follow the track across the field and re-enter the woodland through a gate at the far end. Please note that it can get muddy underfoot here. Continue along the route, looking out for chimneys through the treeline. Stay on the main path, ignoring any off-shooting tracks.
Stage 9
Walk down the short, steep slope and you'll find yourself back on the path you walked up from the quay. Turn right and follow the path along the edge of the Valley Garden until you reach a courtyard.
Stage 10
To finish the route, walk through the courtyard in front of Cotehele's visitor reception area, then follow the driveway straight down the steep hill and through the white gate at the bottom. Turn left and walk past the Edgcumbe tea-room to return to the Cotehele Quay car park.
End point
Cotehele Quay car park. Grid ref: SX423681
Trail map
Map of the Danescombe Valley Walk at Cotehele, Cornwall | © Crown Copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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