The view above Looe This 7 mile walk takes less than 3.5 hours, but that can depend upon how long you choose to linger along the way. Starting at the Millpool car park in West Looe, the path heads through Kilminorth Woods, alongside the wide, twisting West Looe River. There are herons and egrets to be seen, as well as the skeleton of a long abandoned boat. Leaving the river at Watergate, the walk follows a quiet lane up through the woods towards the main road at Parkers Cross. Looking back over the fields towards Caradon Hill in the distance, you will see this most unusual circular field, surrounded by a wall. [ Click on images for a bigger picture ]
Talland Bay Crossing the main road, past the caravans at Tencreek and the shipping landmarks in the field, the first glimpse of Talland Bay takes your breath away. The church of St Tallanus, with its separated bell tower, stands apart from the village. Its setting, like a number of remote Cornish churches, was not determined by being conveniently close to habitation, but at a long established site of Christian worship, dating back to Celtic times, over 1,500 years ago.
Talland Bay has been encroached by the sea over the centuries and the beach used to be much further out.
Talland Bay has been encroached by the sea over the centuries and the beach used to be much further out.
Talland beach Indeed, older people, with memories of the 1930s talk of the road leading through Talland being 100 yards away from the beach. Now, there is no through road and the beach has progressively moved closer inland. Thankfully, the Talland Bay Beach Cafe does a lovely mug of tea and allows you to break the walk at roughly the half way point. A super spot to relax and watch the activities on the beach. At low tide, the wreck of the French fishing trawler Marguerite can be seen in the bay, having run aground in 1922.
South West Coast Path and Looe Island Suitably refreshed, it's time to return on the South West Coast Path. The erosion of the coastal cliffs in South Cornwall is nothing new. The cliff path has been moved back inland twice over the last sixty years. And a recent landslip has resulted in a section of path being diverted away from the cliff edge for a safer route a little further inland. Across Portnadler Bay, Looe Island (or St George's Island) comes into view. One day, we will get to visit the island on one of the boats from Looe.
East Looe and the banjo pier On past Samphire Beach and the houses of Hannafore brings us back into Looe. Fishing boats return to the port with their day's catch past the Banjo pier. This structure was built in the late 19th century, designed by Joseph Thomas, and became the protoype for other banjo piers built around the world. Its circular head, in the shape of a banjo, succeeds in separating the sandy beach from the river and prevents the mouth of the river from becoming silted up with sand. Sailors and beachgoers have much to be grateful for. A short walk through West Looe returns us to our starting point.
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