Lerryn Area

Today we started our walk at Lostwithiel, parking alongside the river. It is hard to imagine today, with the river so shallow, that in the past, sea-going boats were able to come up-river from Fowey to collect tin from this once-important Stannary Town.

Our route took us to St Winnow, arriving along the river side walk to see a number of yachts being prepared for the summer. This is a beautiful church in a beautiful setting. Inside there are some interesting old carved pew ends as well as a board over the door that lists some ancient benefactors, in the days when 'the poor' depended on the luck of which parish they lived in.

The footpath along the river contines down the River Fowey to St Winnow Point where it turn left to follow the River Lerryn up to the village that bears its name. The tide was coming in but there was just enough time to cross over the stepping stones as the water lapped at the top!

Across the other side we walked back down the other bank of the River Lerryn to the hamlet of Cliff where we took to lanes and footpaths steeply uphill to St Veep, typically on a hilltop location.

With the prospect of a cup of tea we opted for the direct route back to Lerryn - in about a third of the time! Sitting alongside the river was relaxing and it was not a little difficult to stir ourselves for the final stage, back to Lostwithiel.

We retraced out route back along the Lerryn bank to find a valley path which eventually brought us back to the ridge road into Lostwithiel. before crossing the railway and the ancient river bridge, there was time to look at St Saviours Church Centre. Although now part of the town of Lostwithiel, it was originally in the parish of St Winnow.