August 28th 2024. We were met at Kelly by Warin Kelly and his daughter, who told us about Poison in The Garden. Kelly’s have lived in this house for over 900 years, the church stands next door and they gave us a brief history. We noted the carved 3 hares, deer and Green Man.

The 6 mile walk took us along quiet lanes, across fields, plenty of stock out, and back along the Tamara Way. SWW are putting in a pipe line, all well marked. We stopped at TURCHINGTON snack shack for a cuppa and rest stop. The ground was a bit damp ( 🙂 ) along the forest track, and a bit steep coming back up to Kelly, but the sun was shining , the views amazing and chatter endless.

Once back at Kelly we took the cars a mile along to Bradstone and parked in the expanded car park next to the church and set off a further 3 miles. The track took us down into fields, we should have walked alongside the Tamar, but missed the path (talking too much) and walked through fields and wood back onto the road, a further field and lane back to Bradstone where we met the owner of Bradstone Wedding Venue, what a beautiful place. The church by contrast inside is very plain.

August 24th 2024. Starting at Werrington church, we crossed the road into the field and stopped to enjoy the magnificent views.

The footpath crossed a few fields with interesting stiles and emerged into a farm yard at Mountshire, up the drive and onto the lane, leading us to Tamartown.

The Tamar off to our left. At Bridgetown the incline plane and tow path could be imagined if not seen.

Then around a bend and THE TAMAR came to meet us.

A lovely footpath ran a long a short distance of the river, through a field into a small wooded area and out at Druxton bridge. There has been a bridge at Druxton since 1370, the current bridge has been here since 1662. Compared to Horsebridge 1437.

From here we took the footpath at Crossgate, through fields and eventually out onto the road and returned to the church. We then went the short distance to watch the cricket and a cuppa tea.

Ex policeman Norman gave us a great history of the church, the village and area. There was no war memorial here so Rev’d Medcraft, designed and had a tablet installed in the church, despite objections from the Bishop. It was a bit of a do with the Marquis of Queensbury, who had family ties with Medcraft, preforming the unveiling in 1950.  The font possibly the 2^nd oldest in Cornwall. Beautiful stained glass windows and carvings throughout. Like many the screen was removed, saw marks still evident.  A boiler was installed for heating and the flue has a chimney pot on the roof, that must be a 1^st.  The 5 bells and roof are only accessible by ladders, no spiral steps at this church, another 1st for us.   We made lots of noise…. Norman has rung in all Cornwall’s churches bar 3, (and many in Devon)  we left him continuing his maintenance jobs and left a car here, and drove to St Anne Whitstone (dont mix up with St Anne, Whitstone, Exeter).   

The church is dedicated to St. Anne although St. Nicholas appears in original records as early as 1309, Nestled in the sloping hillside, the tower is 56 feet high and contains five bells, which we had permission to ring .. the tower was out of bounds due to a birds nest (we’ll be back). The entrance porch has slate on end flooring and a small curious stained glass and barred window into the church. The Holy spring dedicated to the pagan goddess, Anas, inside on the back wall, is a niche with a primitive carved head above. We could also see Marhamchurch church tower.

Rector Richard Buvyle, d.1358, rumoured to be a saint, and a number of cures took place at his grave, which is at a crossroads as thought he committed suicide. The cult spread rapidly throughout North Cornwall and Devon, turning the church into a centre of pilgrimage, The Bishop ordered an inquiry in 1361 and ten remarkable cures were verified by a jury of three vicars, three curates and six laymen specially summoned at Week St. Mary for the purpose. Once ‘official’ the cult seemed to lose interest.

Now our walk starts, heading off pass the school we turned right onto footpaths, a straight line to Nethercott farm, where we met the family looking forward to entering the local agricultural shows. We picked up roads, crossing the B3254 and back on FP through the Beardon estate, and soon back to Boyton, on the TC2C way. 8 miles exactly.

Back in the car we drove to N. Tamerton, the route of the TC2C, and stopped at St Denys church for a cuppa tea, and played snakes and ladders, the bells are currently in storage, so we’ll be back. There’s an arch over the entry gateway, a slate sundial over the porch and Robert Stephen Hawker, vicar of Morwenstow, served as curate here from 1830-1835. The Parish Victory Hall next door.

We drove over the river Tamar, and happened across Michael of Well Farm, where the family have glamping and holiday lets. His wife told us there are no footpaths in the parish. Eventually we drove back to Whitstone to the car and headed home.

St. Marwenne church stands in the middle of Marhamchurch village alongside the shop, pub, school…  The 15th century oak door and knocker leads onto a chequerboard floor of slates on edge.  Liz gave us a warm welcome and some history then we made lots of noise on the 6 bells before heading off to the shop (toilet) and on our way.

Heading on a quiet lane and along the tow path pass The Orchard to Marsh Farm then picking up the bridleway all the way to Homeleigh Garden Center taking care when crossing the busy road… we didn’t stop until we reached Launcells church. (toilet)

Here we noted how light the church was having plain glass windows. The amazing carved bench ends by the Pinwell sisters. The painting of the team of bell ringers from King George 3rd, 1760.  We sought out the grave of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney inventor 1793 – 1875, to the right of the porch.

The graveyard lead us to Launcells Barton wedding venue then footpaths up to the main road, which we walked for a short distance and crossed again to pick up the path to Hobbacott Down. Lots of history here and the Bude Canal incline plane, an amazing feat of engineering to raise the tug boats. Continuing on FP through Beeston farm and pass the HORSE, to Stert and onto Great Beer farm, picking up the road. Talked to Ashleigh the metal detector, then FP past New Meadow Barn and road back to Marhamchurch shop for a hot cuppa tea sitting outside before rain started spitting and we packed up and headed home. Another great walk and made extra special by the people we walked with and met along the way.  

…………10 miles. August 15th