Cornwall

Higher Penrose and the Parkland walk

This 4 mile circular walk will take you through Penrose woodland, parkland and along one side of Loe Pool, stopping at the Stables Cafe 3/4 of the way around.

Near to

Penrose

Start point

Penrose Hill Car Park (NT), postcode TR13 0RB

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)

Duration2 hours 120 mins

Dog friendly

*A moderate climb; level and uneven paths, may be muddy in winter.
**For more information on accessibility, please visit the access section on the Penrose webite. Includes an Access Able report.

Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Penrose Hill Car Park (NT), postcode TR13 0RB
Stage 1
Start at Penrose Hill car park, and walk back to the entrance, with Whitstone Cottage ahead of you. Turn left onto the farm track, and then right onto the bridleway. Follow the fenced bridleway all the way through the fields of Higher Penrose, crossing the farm track where indicated.
Stage 2
Once past the farm buildings, the bridleway continues above Bar Walk Plantation, running beside hedgerows of blackthorn and hawthorn.
Shadywalk wood
Once past the farm buildings, look left towards Shadywalk Wood. By 1855 this had been converted from cider orchards to ornamental woodland with specimen trees, shrubs and picturesque walks. It includes a plantation of Monterey pine, a favourite of the Rogers family. In summer the banks are a dazzling display of wildflowers – stitchwort, navelwort, red campion, lady’s bedstraw, meadow vetchling and bird’s-foot trefoil.
Stage 3
You emerge on to high fields with views south to the headland of Pedngwinian, and Predannack Head beyond. At the junction, follow the route right where you’ll soon see the Breageside houses, above Porthleven harbour, and the distant engine houses of Trewavas. Continue straight until the junction, then turn left.
Stage 4
Follow the path along a grassy ridge, and then round to the left and down towards the sea. When you reach the coast path turn left, and soon turn left again, into the fields and onto the new coast path.
Wildlife
This stretch of coast is called Parc-an-als, Cornish for ‘cliff field’. These coastal pastures, now free from herbicides and pesticides, are becoming rich in plantlife; on the lower slopes you’ll find thrift, wild carrot, English stonecrop and common centaury amongst the grasses – red fescue, Yorkshire fog and cock’s-foot. Look for meadow brown, small heath and small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies, and Cornish choughs – these red-beaked crows are breeding once more in Cornwall, and clifftop pastures are their preferred feeding grounds.
Stage 5
You’re now walking through what was, two centuries ago, the heart of Wheal Rose silver-lead mine.
Stage 6
Further on you will see Bar Lodge down on your right. Take the path that zig-zags down from the fields onto the road below. At the foot of the zig-zags turn left and follow the path from Bar Lodge to reach The Stables.
Stage 7
Leaving The Stables, turn left and follow the drive across the park and turn left at the 'T' junction.
Stage 8
Continue up the drive, turn right into the woods, eventually turning left up the path to the car park.
End point
Penrose Hill Car Park (NT), postcode TR13 0RB,
Trail map
Trail map for Higher Penrose and the Parklands | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 ordinance survey
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Place

Gunwalloe

A site of archaeological importance surrounded by dunes, beaches, a medieval church and a reedbed rich in wildlife.

Looking through the trees and across Loe Pool

Trail

Discover the landscape around Cornwall's largest natural lake, on this 10km circular trail. Explore woodland, marshland and the coast, while keeping the lake in sight. Just after the halfway mark, stop and recuperate some energy at the Stables Cafe.

Penrose, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RD

01326222170

penrose@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Someone riding a mobility scooter on a tarmacked path, in an autumnal woodland.

Trail

Helston to the Stables Café accessible woodland trail

This multi-use level and well-surfaced path can be used by walkers, runners, horse riders, and users of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. Wind your way through the Penrose woodland, taking in views of Loe Pool, from Helston's free Fairground car park, to the National Trust's, Stables Cafe.