Starting as the Tamara Way disappeared off the road into a narrow path of tall wet grass, which took us past Hudscott Farm and down their concrete drive. After a short way the route turned left down a track into fields, over a stile, over a footbridge to emerge at Upper Tamar Lakes. We continued over the dam and walked the 2.7 miles around the lake, where we observed the many fisherman and birds.
The cafe was open and invited us to eat our packed lunches inside as it was drizzling. Great toilets here also.
Once sated we continued back over the dam, turned right this time and picked our way around to come back up the track and farm lane, turning left through Hudsland Farm, negotiating the electric fences. One of the final hurdles we faced were brambles and nettles and a stock proof fence, but using the anchor post and bars, we scrambled over. Walking up the tram lines, we entered an overgrown track with tall wet grass which soaked us, just before we arrived back at the cars.
Starting from Woolley we followed the TAMARA signs down into the wood and along the stream, crossing back and forth emerging at Gooseham Mill then back into Marsland woods still staying close to the stream. The route joins a track where we turned left, (if you went right you’re heading for Marsland pebble beach). Down the track and up the other side, keeping left to the road. Turn right at the road. Views from the field gateway to the sea were stunning.
Pass The Barton we took the permissive path on the right (the brambles could have done with a trim), no sign of any ponies. We joined a track down over another foot bridge then up through fields (views amazing, we had blue skies all day) and around the farm yard following another suggested path onto the road. A short walk brought us to another farm, Cox farm…. (continue straight on and a FP brings you to Morwenstow church) the FP goes through a couple fields with young heifers and an electric fence, then through a maize field, so as we had a dog with us we turned left onto the farm driveway and followed that to the road. Stopping here to admire the views of the church and coast and eat our snacks.
Continuing on turn left at the road, and immediately right onto a track, which eventually leads you to Gooseham, a pretty hamlet, turn right and after this gate turn left by the noticeboard and straight onto another stoney track.
Follow this track down, then keep right up to the road. Turn Left down then up following the signpost to Woolley and our cars parked on the grass by the noticeboard.
We walked 8 miles. The weather was great, the company greater and the ups and down of the terrain made for a satisfying walk. June 25th 2024.
Our aim to walk the TAMARA TRAIL, not in a liner fashion but loops back to our cars and including a church with bells.
We started on 28th May 2024, a wet day at Morwenstow.
The walk took us from the churchyard, down through the old vicarage, through a wooded area, over a Footbridge to a pedestrian gate where we headed left out to the coast. Turning right/north we followed this along the cliff top, edged with colourful wild flowers. The views would have been impressive if we could have seen them through the mizzle. We could just make out the way ahead across the valley and met other hikers on their coastal path challenges.
We counted as we climbed the 202 steps up and stopped for a photo at the Tamara C2C sign post, high on the cliff top.
But didn’t turn here as we dropped down to the Devon/Cornwall border, footbridge over the stream and had a lunch stop at Marsland Mouth black pebble beach.
Refreshed we decided to climb the slog up to Ronald Duncans writing hut. Where we met hikers from the Germany/Austria border, then backtracked down and headed into Marsland Valley Nature Reserve, foxgloves were impressive here and followed some of the Tamera C2C discs through the woodland path , eventually emerging at Gooseham Mill. Here we headed UP HILL on the road into Gooseham, with its lovely thatched buildings. Turned right just after Gooseham Barton, followed the road and turned left just after Glen Elm cottage onto a track … keep going… over the road…. More track….. left and quick right and you’ll soon see a FP sign on the left into a maize field. Metal gate tied with blue, pink and orange twine. Follow the hedge on your right… go through the gateway and keep the hedge on your left, down and around until you see a pedestrian gate set back in the hedge onto a grassy track. Follow to the end, another pedestrian gate go straight ahead (drainage pipes being laid when we were here). Keep hedge on your left all the way into a lane (dumping area) keep going back to the church. The Holy well is at the end of this track on the Right at the right of the entrance to the old vicarage driveway. The NT sign was hidden in high grass.
Then we headed for the TEA ROOMS by our cars, they didn’t flinch as we marched in slightly wet and muddy and the tea and cakes tasted marvellous. We’ll visit Hawkers Hut another time.
We started the walk round 12ish and finished at 5ish and covered 7 ½ miles.
May 24th 2024. The day started with breakfast at Elvira’s cafe before catching the Cremyll Ferry and skirting around Mount Edgecombe House up to Maker church where we were welcomed to chime and view the bells then climb the tower to the top to take in the specular views of Plymouth and surrounding countryside. (This tower was a lot easier to navigate than most we’ve encountered, as has regular open days)
Then onto Kingsand and Cawsand before returning along the coast path. A beautiful day and great company again.
Starting at Saltash Leisure Centre car park. We explored the back roads to the Brook, to Salt Mill with interesting art, took the “beach” passing a Boundary stone, Up onto Marlborough, Old Ferry Rd. Up to THE CROSS. Down to the Waterside, Brunel statue, artwork, Mary Newman’s cottage, interesting Coombe Wood to Bishop Cornwall school … onto Churchtown Farm, down to The Quay and around Point Field under The Train, Up to St Stephen’s church, warm welcome, climbed the tower, great views, made some noise on the bells, then roads wiggled back to the start. Total 7 miles.
No bells this month… just a fab 6 mile walk in the sunshine… Starting at 10:30am at Rilla Mill and included every type of terrain, stiles and usual obstacles and amazing views some mud. We stopped for a quick drinks break and then later for lunch at Henwood !
Always interesting what you see along the way 🙂
We also collected some Painkillers to the “Painkillers for Ukraine ” campaign.
THANK YOU Pete and Caroline for organising and leading this one…
Caught in a quick hail storm, just before arriving at Landulph church, a warm welcome from Terry and chance to ring the bells and climb the tower, we left speaking Spanish .
Leaving Landulph we picked up footpaths down to Cargreen, up over and behind the solar array, the flooded road allowed us to clean any mud from our boots, before arriving at Botus Fleming church and Eric provided some interesting history including the Scout and Soldier and others buried there, again we were able to climb the tower and ring the 6 bells… an interesting chiming system as well.
We couldn’t pass The Rising Sun without popping in for a drink, and plan the next walk.
Our band of regular bell walkers, set off from Wheal Tor for a 7 mile hike crossing mining country and the river Seaton twice. To Darite and Tremar Coombe, at St Cleer church we had a warm welcome and were shown up the tower to see the great views, the plans for their bells and the opportunity to make some noise… then returning via Rosecraddock woods and back for a lovely evening meal at The Wheal Tor Inn. Thank you to everyone for making this possible and so special.
Footprints on the tower rooffrom the church towergroup at St Cleer well
The group had a great evening walk, and were greeted at Brentor church by their Bell Captain. We draw quite a crowd as we rang the bells and the many visitors had a thrill as we left and they had the treat of bell ringing.
The route took us onto the moorland and we watched gliders circling overhead as we took footpaths in a circular 7miles walk. The evening finished with everyone enjoying meals at THE ROYAL, Horsebridge.
