portloe to portscatho

October 02, 2022 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

saturday, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2022

The weather forecast for today seems to be pretty good considering that we are now well and truly into autumn territory. There’s a northerly wind blowing so it’s not going to be particularly warm but I shouldn’t get much in the way of rain.

Falmouth low tide 11:39

Falmouth high tide 17:29

I start the day at the car park high above Portloe and wander down the road, photographing the flowers as I go.

I reach the tiny beach and fishing harbour at the bottom of Portloe after passing the charming granite cottages on the way down and then the Lugger Hotel (@TheLuggerHotel).

I spend way too long enjoying the harbour before setting off on the gorse and bracken covered cliffs out of Portloe. I have fine views back across Portloe.

On leaving Portloe, I’m immediately greeted by the sound of singing chiffchaffs who have been silent all summer but for some reason strike up their song again in September. Robins are also singing away.

The wild flowers and berries, even this late in the season are looking lovely. At Broom Parc I come across hydrangeas, crocosmia going to seed and sloes.

I round Manare Point and reach the rocky shore at Parc Caragloose Cove. I enter some woodland and then climb a long, grassy slope before rounding Blouth Point.

I'm now above the bouldery Kiberick Cove and out to sea I can see Gull Rock.

I continue along the gorse covered slopes passing Horse Rock, Lemoria Rock and Haine's Rock to reach Nare Head.

A national trust sign warns me that the boardwalk in front of me is in a state of disrepair. It is indeed a bit of a mess but I take care and manage to cross it and survive.

I come across a beetle ambling along the south west coast path but I’m useless with beetles so I have no idea what type it is.

I come across my first sheep of the day. In the past this walk has been smothered in sheep.

On Nare Head I come across a World War II bunker which was used to protect the port of Falmouth. Special effects systems, scattered strategically across the headland, were controlled from this bunker by four Royal Navy crewmen.

These effects were designed by British film studios to simulate lights from docks, railway tracks and stations. As enemy bombers approached, the bunker crew switched on the lights. Flying at night, the enemy aircrew were fooled into thinking they had spotted Falmouth. As the bombs were dropped, the bunker crew triggered fires and explosions to give the impression of successful bomb strikes.

Next to the World War II bunker is an atomic early warning bunker, built in 1963. The bunker was designed as a survival unit in which three officers from the Royal Observer Corps could live for up to three weeks, following a nuclear attack, whilst monitoring radioactive fallout. Made of concrete it lies a metre below ground and measures five by three metres. It was closed in 1991 and has since been restored and equipped by the local Royal Observer Corps Association.

I now have magnificent views across Gerrans Bay towards Carne Beach and Pendower Beach.

For the first time since leaving Portloe, I come across a couple of people walking their dog near to the bridge at Tregagles Hole.

I pass Shannick Point, Malmanare Point and Pennarin Point and the views over Carne Beach and Pendower beach are lovely.

I drop down onto Carne Beach, a fine south facing sandy beach. It starts to rain quite heavily but I don’t think it will last long so I don’t dive into my bag for my waterproofs.

The tide is out so I amble along the beach and cross into Pendower Beach.

carne beach

pendower beach

I head off of the beach using a slipway and pass by what was once the Pendower Beach House Hotel but is now a sad looking wreck of a building. Several attempts have been made to redevelop this site but all seem to have failed.

At least there is now a beach hut here selling ice creams and hot and cold drinks.

I climb out of Pendower Beach via the road, where I come across a flattened toad, and have magnificent views back over the beaches.

The path takes me out on to Treluggan Cliff where there are Shetland ponies chomping on the vegetation.

One friendly pony is blocking the footpath and takes some persuading to let me pass.

shetland pony

I come across and manage to photograph a small copper butterfly. There are also clouded yellow butterflies flying around but they prove more difficult to photograph.

I continue along the coast path to reach Porthbean Beach and I climb down some steps to reach the beach. I amble along the sand pondering on the forces that were at play to create the near vertical sedimentary rock strata before leaving the beach via some wooden steps.

The path leads me past the National Coastwatch Station on Pednvadan Point and I now have magnificent views over towards the village of Portscatho.

I drop down to Porthcurnick Beach which is surprisingly busy.

porthcurnick

Here can be found the Hidden Hut (@thehiddenhut) beach cafe.

I cross the beach and climb up some steps where I have lovely views back across the beach.

It's now a short walk to head in to Portscatho, home of cricket.

I walk through Portscatho along North Parade and pass Tavola pizza and pasta bar before dropping down to explore the beach.

I head out of the village, passing the Plume of Feathers and head uphill towards Gerrans where my lift awaits in the car park. Portscatho is a lovely place but it seems to be overrun with cars nowadays.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

fuchsias
gorse
bracken
chiffchaffs
robins
hydrangeas
blackberries
crocosmia
red campion
holly
sloes
stonechats
skylarks
hemp agrimony
fleabane
beetle
yarrow
a flattened toad
cormorants
shetland ponies
small copper butterfly
clouded yellow butterflies
red valerian
amaryllis belladonna
agapanthus
buddleia
fig

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 8.9 miles which amounts to 21620 steps. It has taken me four hours. It has been seven years since I last walked this section of the coast path but it never fails to delight. Ten out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

portloe to mevagissey

October 01, 2015 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

south west coast path

sunday, 27th september 2015

It looks like I'll be in for another day of beautiful weather with sun forecast for all day long. Woop!

Falmouth high tide 05:06 and 17:25

Falmouth low tide 11:51

I start the day back at the tiny harbour in Portloe where a fishing boat has landed on the beach full up with a catch. There's no sign of the box of sea urchins I came across yesterday so I just do a quick bit of exploring of the beach.

I enjoy some of the flowers in the village before heading off. The coast path winds its way in between the houses upwards out of Portloe and I have fine views back to the village and down to the fishing boat being unloaded in the harbour..

A rugged and fiddly path leads me up and down, up and down all the way to West Portholland. The beach here is sandy, but it is of the grey grit variety unlike the fine, golden sand I've been used to so far. A canoist pulls up onto the beach just as I arrive in the tiny village.

The tide is too far in for me to be able to walk across to East Portholland on the beach so I clamber up onto the rocks and walk along the sea wall instead. East Portholland is the larger of the two villages but they are both tiny and there is only a small post office and a tea room here. I don't see the post office but I do pass Pebbles Cafe and Crafts.

I take the road out of East Portholland, passing the last of the cottages and zigzag up a track. I walk across a couple of fields and re-join the road that leads me down to Caerhays Castle on my left and Porthluny Cove on my right.

The castle was designed by John Nash and is a rather vulgar monstrosity! I head for the beach instead which is large and sandy and rather popular.

I come across a stranded jellyfish on the beach but, unlike yesterday's starfish, shows no sign of life and there's no chance of me returning it to the water anyway.

I leave Porthluny Cove next to the cafe and head up a steep field where I have fine views back over the beach and the castle.

A series of fields and woods leads me past Lambsowden Cove and I come across a lone shetland pony chomping on the vegetation. There's no sign of any of his friends.

I continue onwards towards Hemmick Beach where I climb down steps to reach a house next to the beach. I wander out on to the sandy beach and explore the rock pools at low tide. The beach is completely deserted except for a jogger and his dog.

I come across a dead seal on the beach and as I leave the beach some families are starting to arrive.

A steep climb gives me magnificent views over Hemmick Beach.

The climb cotinues, taking me up to a granite cross on the top of Dodman Point, built in 1896 as a seafarers aid for navigation. I have fine views back where I have come from and onwards towards Mevagissey.

“In the firm hope of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the encouragement of those who strive to serve Him. This cross is erected A.D. 1896.”

The path continues along fields. bushy paths and scrubby slopes and I pass a flock of black sheep. I have lovely views overlooking Vault Beach.

I take a detour off of the coast path and head down to Vault Beach. The beach here is lovely so I head down to explore it. Although quite close to Gorran Haven it is rather isolated so is never very busy and there's barely a handful of people here.

I head back to the coast path and come across a load of bees heading down into their burrows in the mud. No idea what species they are. The coast path leads me towards Gorran Haven high above the beach and I have lovely views over the village.

I climb a cliff and then down steps to reach the harbour at Gorran Haven. I head out to enjoy the beach which is just starting to get busy.

I walk up Church Street and meander through the village passing the church of St Just and the Mount Zion Church. At what was once the Llawnroc Inn (Gorran Haven no longer has any pubs) I turn right along Cliff Road and leave Gorran Haven behind me.

I pass Perhaver House where a sign informs me that refugees are welcome. I walk uphill onto Pabyer Point and round Turbot Point to reach Colona Beach, consisting of a large area of sand and rocky outcrops. The beach is pretty isolated and therefore deserted, except for some oystercatchers.

I round Chapel Point and cross grassy slopes to reach Chapel Point Lane and it's now easy walking to drop down to Portmellon. Sparrows are merrily chirping away to themselves in the bushes. I wander out on to the seaweed encrusted beach before heading back past The Rising Sun Inn and head uphill towards Mevagissey.

Easy walking along roads chock full of hotels and bed and breakfasts takes me to a park with fine views overlooking Mevagissey harbour and it's then an easy walk downhill through roads, unusually not full of tourists and cars, to reach Mevagissey.

I explore the shops and harbour here before heading through the village to where my lift awaits at the car park above the village, on the way passing The Kings Arms (@KingsArmsMeva), the Wheelhouse Inn, the Harbour Tavern, The Sharks Fin (@sharksfin_meva) and The Ship Inn.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

agapanthus
red valerian
white valerian
hydrangeas
crane's-bill (bloody I think but it's late in the year)
rosebay willowherb
sheep
cows
jellyfish
shetland pony
dead seal
black sheep
mushrooms
bees
sparrows

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via the iTunes store or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 13.77 miles today which amounts to 31938 steps. It has been another beautiful day's walking and the weather has been glorious again. Nine out of ten!

portloe to falmouth

September 29, 2015 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

south west coast path

saturday, 26th september 2015

For what feels like the first time this year the sun is shining and I have a full week of great looking weather. It looks like I'll have sun all day long and although it doesn't look like it's going to be baking hot, it's late September so I can't really have everything.

Falmouth high tide 04:15 and 16:35

Falmouth low tide 10:57

The ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes doesn't start until 08:30 and the connecting ferry from St Mawes to Place isn't timed very well so I decide to start the day at Portloe rather than Falmouth and I'll make my way back along the coast to finish at Falmouth.

I start the day at the car park high above Portloe and wander down the road, photographing the flowers as I go.

I reach the tiny beach and fishing harbour at the bottom of Portloe after passing the charming granite cottages on the way down and then the Lugger Hotel (@TheLuggerHotel).

I come across a box of sea urchin shells and, although it's completely impractical to carry so large a shell back to Falmouth, I buy one anyway (£3 in an honesty box) and rearrange my bag so that I can just about cram it in my side pocket.

I spend way too long enjoying the sun in the harbour before setting off on the gorse and bracken covered cliffs out of Portloe. I have fine views back across Portloe.

I come across a compliant red admiral butterfly and speckled wood butterflies and the wild flowers and berries, even this late in the season are looking lovely.

I round Manare Point and reach the rocky shore at Parc Caragloose Cove. I enter some woodland and then climb a long, grassy slope before rounding Blouth Point. I come across sheep a-plenty.

I'm now above the bouldery Kiberick Cove and out to sea I can see Gull Rock.

I continue along the gorse covered slopes passing Horse Rock, Lemoria Rock and Haine's Rock to reach Nare Head where I have magnificent views across Gerrans Bay towards Carne Beach and Pendower Beach.

For the first time today I come across a couple of people near to the bridge at Tregagles Hole. It looks like they might be set for a day of bird watching.

I pass Shannick Point, Malmanare Point and Pennarin Point and the views over Carne Beach and Pendower beach are lovely. The cows don't seem to appreciate it though.

I drop down onto Carne Beach, a fine south facing sandy beach. The tide is out so I amble along the beach and cross into Pendower Beach.

I come across a stranded starfish on the beach and so take him (or her) back down to the water. I hope the little fellow survives.

I climb out of Pendower Beach via the road and have magnificent views back over the beaches.

view back over pendower beach and carne beach

The path takes me out on to Treluggan Cliff where buzzards are enjoying the thermals and there are Dartmoor ponies chomping on the vegetation.

The path leads me past the National Coastwatch Station on Pednvadan Point and I now have magnificent views over towards the village of Portscatho.

I drop down to Porthcurnick Beach which is surprisingly busy. Here can be found the Hidden Hut (@thehiddenhut) beach cafe.

I cross the beach and climb up some steps where I have lovely views back across the beach.

It's now a short walk to head in to Portscatho, home of cricket. I walk through Portscatho along North Parade and drop down to explore the beach.

I explore the village a little bit, finding the Plume of Feathers. It's a lovely place but it seems to be overrun with cars nowadays.

I leave Portscatho behind, passing a lovely garden on the outskirts of the village, pass through a newly planted wood and walk through a field full of bales of hay.

I amble along the cliffs to reach Towan Beach where I enjoy the sandy beach.

On leaving Towan Beach I come across a wreck post, erected by the coastguard service and used to simulate a ship's mast in training exercises.

I round Killigerran Head and Porthmellin Head and continue along the path above Porthbeor Beach before rounding Zone Point. I thought that Porthbeor Beach was supposed to be inaccessible but, tantalisingly, I think I can make out footprints in the sand.

I pass the 19th century battery on St Anthony Head and then head down towards St Anthony's lighthouse, built in 1835. After leaving the lighthouse I have magnificent views over to St Mawes and Falmouth in the distance.

I round St Anthony Head and come across some grasshoppers chirping away before passing a clump of Scots pines where I can admire the view over to St Mawes.

I head through woods to reach St Anthony's Church, where I explore the churchyard. I pass some beehives and the rather modest Place House.

I pass some lillies in Place which apparently keep getting nicked and I've just about reached the end of my walking for the day so I wait for the ferry to St Mawes at Toddy's Steps. I catch the 15:15 ferry over to St Mawes and the ferryman says that I can buy a combined ferry ticket at the ticket office in St Mawes. It's a thoroughly pleasant 5 minute trip.

I leave the ferry and purchase my £9 combined ticket and then wait for the connecting ferry to take me back to Falmouth. I catch the 15:45 ferry and it's now a pleasant 15 minute journey to my destination for the day, Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth.

It's now a short walk through the busy streets of Falmouth to return to our cottage for the week in Port Pendennis.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

large flowered evening primrose
red valerian
fuchsias
gorse
bracken
red admirals
speckled woods
red campion
bladder campion
herb robert
crocosmias
blackberries
rape
elderberries
hydrangeas
sheep
mushrooms
cows
starfish
dartmoor ponies
buzzards
red hot pokers
scots pines
robins
grasshoppers
lillies
bees
cormorants

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via the iTunes store or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 16.85 miles today which amounts to 36482 steps. The walking has been fantastic and the weather has been glorious. Ten out of ten!

Both of my GPS apps failed me today so I've only got two incomplete maps of the walk.