Cornwall

Struddicks circular walk

This short but fairly demanding trail takes you through unkempt wilderness and along rugged Cornish coastline alive with wildlife. The circular route starts by following part of the South West Coast Path, exploring woodland and open scrub, before climbing high above the cliffs. Here you can admire sweeping views of the surrounding coastal landscape. It then descends along narrow country tracks through farmland and back down to Seaton beach.

Near to

Lansallos

Start point

Seaton Bridge long stay car park, Bridge Road, Cornwall, PL11 3JF. Grid ref: SX302545

Cliffs and roads

This route passes cliff edges and unstable cliffs, and also follows country roads with no pavement. So please be careful and keep children supervised.

Address
Seaton Bridge long stay car park, Bridge Road, Cornwall, PL11 3JF
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Looe train station is about 5 miles from the trail's starting point.
By bus
From Liskeard: The number 75 service goes from Liskeard to Torpoint via Seaton (bus stop: The Car Park).
75 bus service
From Looe: The number 72 service goes from Looe to Polbathic via Seaton (bus stop: The Car Park).
72 bus service
By road
From Plymouth: Head west out of Plymouth on Liskeard Road (A38), driving through Landrake and Tideford. At the roundabout, take the first exit to follow the A374 for about 1 mile (1.6km) and then turn right onto the A387 and continue until you reach Hessenford. Here turn left onto Hessenford Road (B3247), following signs for Seaton. Follow this all the way down into Seaton and the car park is on your left, next to Seaton Valley Countryside Park.
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome and should be kept under close control, especially around livestock. Be extra careful around cliff edges and on country roads.
Car park
The trail starts and ends at the Seaton Bridge long stay car park, which doesn't belong to the National Trust. Alternatively, the Seaton Park car park can be found nearby.
Toilet
The cafés will have toilets for customers. The rest of the walk is through countryside, with no facilities.
Café
There are several cafés at Seaton, not National Trust.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Seaton Bridge long stay car park, Bridge Road, Cornwall, PL11 3JF. Grid ref: SX302545
Stage 1
Turn left out of the car park and then right to head up Looe Hill. Keep walking for ½ mile (0.8km) and then take the steps on the left to join the South West Coast Path.
Stage 2
Follow the South West Coast Path down the edge of the woodland and around the side of the hill. You'll cross a stretch of open and scrubby land, head through some stiles and a gateway, and over a boardwalk, rising steadily.
Woodland wildlife
Hawthorns are an important habitat for many birds and mammals, as they provide shelter from gale-force winds blowing off the sea. In the spring, the hawthorns' white blossom attracts insects and their bright red berries, called 'haws', that appear in autumn are a source of food for different birds, including thrushes and waxwings. The thorn bushes along the woodland's edge are also home to swatches of lichen.
A thrush perched on a hawthorn tree | © National Trust Images / John Malley
Stage 3
Follow the path as it heads away from the sea, continuing up the hill through several small meadows You'll eventually come out through a gate onto a narrow lane, Looe Hill, at the top.
Stage 4
Turn right to follow Looe Hill for a short distance as it bends to the right. Then at the T-junction turn left following signs for Liskeard. Continue along this road past cottages and farm buildings until you reach the sharp left-hand bend in the road.
Sea views
From the top of Looe Hill, you can enjoy sea views. To the east you'll see Whitsand Bay to Rame Head and, to the west, across Looe Bay. The sedimentary rocks on this coastline are known as the Whitsand Bay Formation Slate. Consisting of siltstone and sandstone, they were formed about 400 to 417 million years ago during the Devonian Period. In fact, Whitsand Bay is an important location for marine fossils.
Whitsand Bay | © National Trust/George Taylor
Stage 5
Ignore the sharp bend and instead turn right onto the bridleway. Follow this path as it heads through Keveral, descends around the back of the hill, enters into woodland and then drops back into Seaton. Turn left at the T-junction where Keveral Lane meets Keveral Gardens and walk back up towards Seaton Bridge car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Seaton Bridge long stay car park, Bridge Road, Cornwall, PL11 3JF. Grid ref: SX302545
Trail map
Struddicks circular walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Views of Sharrow Beach in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall

Trail

Whitsand Bay circular walk

Explore the coastline around Whitsand Bay on this circular walk between Tregantle Fort and Crafthole, full of wildlife, military history and smuggling stories.

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.

Lansallos Cove view to Pencarrow Head, Cornwall

Trail

Lansallos coastal and woodland walk

Discover this trail with a stretch of coastline that offers secluded coves and beaches in Lansallos, Cornwall.

Trail

Polruan to Polperro rollercoaster walk

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

Lansallos, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 2PX

01726870146

southeastcornwall@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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

A National Trust sign pointing to Lantic beach with the bay in the background

Article

Exploring the area around Lansallos

Discover the places to visit in and around this Cornish village, including sandy coves, ancient churches, old water mills and landmarks from its smuggling heyday.

A person standing in the sea at Lansallos, Cornwall

Activity

Outdoor activities at Lansallos

Whether you’re spending the day at Lansallos or sticking around for the week, there are plenty of ways to fill your time along this dramatic stretch of Cornish coast.

A visitor walking along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path at Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire

Top coastal walks

Explore some of the UK's most famous natural landmarks on a coastal walk. With a variety of walking trails offering clifftop views, golden sands and local wildlife, there's a walk for everyone.

Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Cliffs and roads

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 5

Total stages: 5

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust