Readymoney Cove The South West Coast Path is within easy reach of Cider Cottage. It can be tackled as a long distance path or in relatively short walks. Sometimes, you will need to retrace your steps to get back to the starting point. We much prefer those that can be tackled as a circular walk, such as this 6.5 mile ramble - starting from the beach at Polkerris and circling around Menabilly Wood, before emerging on the shore of the Fowey River at Readymoney Cove. In 1942, Daphne du Maurier moved from Menabilly into the house above Readymoney Cove.
Polruan across from St Catherine's Castle It is a delightful spot to linger, with its sandy beach and clear waters to cool those hot feet. Moving on a short way to the mouth of the Fowey River, you come across the remains of St Catherine's Castle. Like many estuaries along this coast, the castle was built by Henry VIII as a defensive structure to repel possible invasions by the French.
Following a bracing stretch along the clifftops, the path descends to the beach at Polridmouth.
Following a bracing stretch along the clifftops, the path descends to the beach at Polridmouth.
Polridmouth and Gribbin Head Here we met Janice and John, who were making a video of the walk for their website Walking with the Taxi Driver. Their delightful series of walks, with a Yorkshire commentary, is certainly worth enojying from the comfort of your armchair!
The river valley here was flooded to create a lake to act as a decoy for Fowey Harbour, which in 1944 was bristling with 2,000 US Navy troops, preparing for the Normany Invasion. The house at Polridmouth served as the Boathouse in Du Maurier's writings, while on the distant cliff is the red and white Gribbin Tower.
The river valley here was flooded to create a lake to act as a decoy for Fowey Harbour, which in 1944 was bristling with 2,000 US Navy troops, preparing for the Normany Invasion. The house at Polridmouth served as the Boathouse in Du Maurier's writings, while on the distant cliff is the red and white Gribbin Tower.
Remains of Romanie on Polridmouth beach This 84ft tower is a daymark, erected in 1842 to assist mariners to differentiate between Gribbin Head, for Fowey and St Austell Bay, and St Anthony's Head for the port of Falmouth, whose approaches look very similar. This aid to navigation failed to help the 240 ton china clay sailing boat Romanie, however. She foundered in heavy seas at Polridmouth in January 1930 and her remains are still visible on the far beach at low tide today.
The walk continues on the cliff top path around Gribbin Head, back to our starting point at Polkerris.
The walk continues on the cliff top path around Gribbin Head, back to our starting point at Polkerris.
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