Situated on the Lizard Peninsula this walk takes you along the banks of Gillan Creek and the Helford River. Much of the footpath is through woodlands that hug the river edge, providing shade and shelter.
We started near the head of Gillan Creek at Carne. For many years a pair of swans has nested here and keep a careful watch of the comings and goings of the estuary life, please don’t let your dogs disturb them. We’ve noticed recently that we’ve been watched from above from a rooftop peacock, their distinctive cry can be heard periodically.
A bonus of this walk is it feels magically different depending on the tide, hightide allows mirror image reflections to grace the river surface. Low tide reveals mud flats, a feeding ground for a host of wading birds.
We started walking along the quiet road, that feels better able to manage foot steps than tyres! After a footpath joins the road from the right there are generally a few boats moored. Not long after this you can join the footpath on your right that nestles between the road and the river through flower filled woodlands. In spring beautiful bluebells, primroses and wild garlic bloom and in summer fabulous foxgloves, honeysuckles and pink champion to name but a few that brighten the footpath.
The path re-joins the road for a short distance as you approach St Anthony-in-Meneage with it’s beautiful river side church. You can walk through the church grounds and re-join the road, or continue up the road before taking the lane on the right that runs behind a large house.
If you continue through the gate and across the field you miss the newer coast hugging path around Little Dennis Head, if time allows it’s well worth taking the path to the right of the gate that reveals breath taking views. The views are initially of picturesque estuary hamlets on the opposite bank – Gillan and Flushing. You then cross Little Dennis for panoramic views across Falmouth Bay, where the white walls of St Anthony Head lighthouse are visible on the distant Roseland Peninsula.
The next stretch of path to Helford takes you alongside a few remote and sandy coves that line the Helford River, that may tempt you for a swim or paddle. Helford is entered passing the old chapel, now Holy Mackerel Cafe, that’s well worth a visit. Walk through the village, pass the Shipwrights Arms and follow the road up hill. After a short distance on the right the footpath drops down to the quiet Penarvon Cove. Turning your back on the shores, head up the road with the option to take the lane on your right with a new field footpath that re-joins the same road. At the top head right and follow the lane around to discover pretty views of the Helford River and it’s wooded shores. As you walk down hill, take the path signed on the left to Frenchman’s Creek. This quiet estuary allows you to immerse yourself in the natural landscape as white egrets, swans and herons scan the shore for their next meal.
Near the head of the estuary you can follow the lane uphill, although continuing a little further along you can join a much older stone lined lane full of ferns and moss. Join the lane and head uphill. On reaching the road, cross and pass through the ancient farmstead of Kestle Barton, continue down hill alongside a field, turn left after the field ends and follow the path through woodland. Cross a small stream and head up hill, joining an old lane that crosses a field before crossing the road and entering the village of Manaccan.
On joining the road turn right and down hill past the school. Head left through the church yard, passing the church with it’s distinctive fig tree growing from the church walls. Leave the church yard continuing straight ahead along the lane, just before the Institute turn right down hill through the wooded valley back to Carne.
The practicalities:
Approximately 7 miles
Helford village has a village shop, dog friendly pub (Shipwrights Arms), dog friendly cafe (Holy Mackerel) and public toilets in the car park that would make an alternative starting point for this circular walk. Please check business websites and facebook pages for opening times, not all are open all year around.
Kestle Barton offers seasonal gallery and garden open to the public.
Manaccan has a dog friendly pub, The New Inn.
This walk commenced from Carne, alternatively you could commence from Helford using the large pay and display carpark there.
Cornish Hamlet Life 