Cornwall

Medieval mills & a ruined Victorian factory walk near Lizard Point

Steps on the coast path leading past flowering blackthorn blossom — Steep steps on the coast path leading past flowering blackthorn blossom | © National Trust Images / Liz Abdey

Discover medieval mills and the ruins of the once prosperous Victorian polished stoneware factory tucked behind the cove, on this walk down to the sea through the picturesque Poltesco valley.

Near to

Lizard Point

Start point

Poltesco car park, grid ref: SW725157

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly

*Route includes some relatively steep rocky sections of coast path. For further details, please see Terrain section.

Address
Poltesco, Ruan Minor, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7LR
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Redruth, 20 miles (32km), then Western Greyhound bus 534 to Helston and 537 to Ruan Minor, then 10-minute walk.
By bus
Western Greyhound 537 to Ruan Minor, then 10-minute walk.
By road
A3083, Helston to Lizard Road. Shortly after passing Lizard Cider Barn on right, turn left towards Ruan Minor. After 1.5 miles (2.4km) enter 30mph area and turn left at crossroads, signed Kuggar. Follow down over bridge and take second right after bridge (signed weak bridge). Follow narrow lane, ignoring all side roads, until it ends in a small car park within the old farmyard.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Poltesco car park, grid ref: SW725157
Stage 1
Start this walk from the car park at Poltesco.
Remains of an industry
Originally Poltesco was known for its series of pilchard cellars, dating back to the early 1700s. Today, the only remains of this industry is the large, round, dry stone tower which formerly contained a capstan for hauling fishing boats up the beach. Serpentine, a local mineral, was processed here to make jewellery and other decorations. While the factory dates from the 1830s, only the warehouse survives. The foundations of the larger factory complex are still visible, including a wheel pit.
Stage 2
Walk out of the yard and up the lane for 55yd (50m). Turn left at the junction and walk over the bridge. Beside the stream stands the 200-year-old Poltesco Mill, which is on the site of an older medieval mill. This manorial corn mill is one of very few mills left in Cornwall that have survived intact. The water wheel was cast in 1901 in Helston.
Lizard Serpentine Company
The Lizard Serpentine Company (notice the initials LSC on the warehouse building) was founded in 1853 and closed 40 years later. In 1883 there were 20 men and three boys working here. For many years Jabez Druitt, owner of the company, lived at Caerleon House overlooking the works. All sorts of ornamental items, from mantelpieces to vases, were made from this unusual local stone. Queen Victoria ordered some items for her new house at Osborne, and many pieces were shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Stage 3
Return to the car park and walk through the gate at the far end, up the track and through the woods. The slopes here were orchards in previous centuries and until the 1980s were dominated by huge elm trees. The larger elm trees were killed by Dutch elm disease but there are some small surviving elms here today.
Former pilchard-catching sites
Poltesco was one of many small Cornish coves and harbours where, from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the fishermen caught the abundant pilchards as they came close to shore in the late summer. The huge shoals could be seen from the cliffs by huers who raised the hue and cry and directed the fishermen to the fish. The fish were normally pressed and preserved for export. Sometimes they were used to make Star Gazy Pie, a West Cornwall speciality where the fishes heads poke through the topping, looking towards the stars.
Stage 4
At the South West Coast Path turn right. Briefly stop to climb the rocky knoll known as the Todden, from where there are great views across Kennack Bay to Black Head.
Stage 5
Keep going down the coast path, bearing left to arrive in Carleon Cove. The round, roofless building housed a capstan: a man-powered winch used for hauling boats up the beach. Pilchard cellars were based here until the 1800s.
Stage 6
Walk down onto the pebbly beach, and take the path inland beside the stream.
Victorian serpentine factory remains
This building, called Capstan house, is around 300 years old. It would have originally been roofed with thatch and, later, slate. It housed a capstan, or winch, which was used to pull boats up the beach. The hole in the wall that the ropes passed through, is now blocked up. Pilchard fishing was an important industry on the Lizard from Elizabethan times, with salted fish in barrels being shipped overseas. Fishing from here has stopped by 1850 and the later serpentine factory removed all trace of the traditional square fish cellars which once also stood here. These ruins were once a thriving Victorian factory making mantlepieces, gravestones, shop fronts and polished ornaments from the local serpentine stone quarried nearby. A 25 foot overshot waterwheel provided power; all that’s left now is the wheelpit. Flat-bottomed barges ferried goods out from the quay to waiting ships. In 1883, 20 men and 3 boys were employed. There were 5 saw frames, each with 16 toothless iron ‘saws’ that relied on sand and water to cut through the stone. Look out for a slab of serpentine scored by massive stone-cutting saws more than a century ago.
Ponies grazing near Poltesco beach | © National Trust Images / Antonia Gray
Stage 7
Walk inland through the ruins and cross the footbridge, walking up steps of serpentine that were cut in the factory. Turn right at the top and pass Carleon House. From there follow the drive to return to the car park.
End point
Poltesco car park, grid ref: SW725157
Trail map
Map of mills, fishing and serpentine walk at Lizard Point | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Sea view of Lizard Point and the lighthouse in the distance

Trail

Lizard Point walk: the most southerly place in Britain

Take in dramatic views of the Atlantic, visit the lighthouse and look out for local wildlife on this enjoyable walk around the most southerly point in Britain.

Trail

Lizard peninsula rare flora and fauna walk

Take a short walk around the western side of the Lizard Peninsula for stunning coastal scenery and a chance to spot rare plants, birds and other wildlife.

The Lizard, near Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7NT

01326222170

lizard@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

Visitors walking in the parkland at Lyme Park, Cheshire

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

Medieval mills & a ruined Victorian factory walk near Lizard Point

Near to