Text by Barbara Fraser

Sailing up the Fowey River 100 years ago, a travel writer described the approach to Lostwithiel as 'the loveliest inland scenery in Cornwall'. He wrote 'in the richest pastures of this luxuriant valley stands the old town of Lostwithiel'. Whether one approaches by river, rail or road, this description is still true today.

Situated at the tidal reach of the river Fowey, in a beautiful wooded valley the town lies tucked away just off the A390, a haven of peace and tranquility.

Central in Cornwall, it is within easy reach of the coast and the moors, and well placed for exploring the whole of the county, an ideal centre for a holiday.

Lostwithiel was a 'new town' 800 years ago, founded by the Normans for the export of tin. Then the river was wide and deep, and sea going ships tied up along the quay, loading the tin destined for France and the Mediterranean ports. The town was officially known as 'The Port of Fawi', and soon became the second busiest port on the south coast of England.

The name 'Lostwithiel' comes from two old Cornish words meaning 'the place at the tail end of the woodland', and looking down the valley from Restormel Castle (the home of the Norman lords who built the town) one can see how it came by this name.

In the 13th century Lostwithiel was further developed by the Earls of Cornwall to become the County Capital. It was the centre for the administration of county affairs and the main trading centre for tin.

Earl Edmund called Lostwithiel 'Fairest of Small Cities' and 'Lily of the Valley' and the mediaeval church, bridge and part of the Great Hall (now known as the Duchy Palace) still stand as testimony to its original splendour.

Ironically, tin, the source of the town's wealth, gradually caused its decline. Rubble, carried down by tributaries of the Fowey River from the mines on the moors, silted up the river, preventing big ships from reaching the quay.

A further 600 years of history have left their mark. The town suffered during the Civil War, when it was occupied by Parliamentary soldiers and besieged by Royalists throughout August 1644. Eventually the Parliamentarians were routed, but the town was left shattered, and its people starving. Gradually they recovered, and there was much rebuilding in the late 17th century.

John Betjeman is reputed to have said 'there is history in every stone in Lostwithiel', and this is evident to the interested observer who walks the streets and lanes of the town.

Now it is a peaceful, friendly place; parking is free, and members of staff at the Tourist Information Centre, (in the Community Centre adjacent to the car park) are always ready to help visitors.

Set in this historic background are numerous antique shops specialising in high quality furniture, curios and collectibles, ceramics, Victoriana and glorious junk! Other shops specialise in contemporary arts and crafts, paintings, lace, patchwork. One has to explore the hidden lanes in the town to find some of these.

Lostwithiel Museum

The museum, housed in the old Corn Exchange, has an interesting collection of artefact and photographs reflecting life in Lostwithiel over the past two centuries. The library, to be found in a splendidly restored mediaeval house, has an excellent selection of books on Cornwall, and there is often an interesting exhibition in the upstairs gallery.

For the sports enthusiast, the challenging 18 hole golf course is a must for golfers visiting the area. The Golf and Country Club also offers tennis and swimming for none golfing members of the family. There are squash courts at the Community Centre, and licences for salmon and trout fishing are available. Horse riding can be enjoyed at St Veep, a nearby village, and there are splendid walks in every direction. Sailing, walking the Coastal Path, cycling the Camel Trail, riding in the Bodmin Steam Train and a number of different golf courses are all within a few miles drive.

There is accommodation in and around the town to suit everyone, luxury hotel rooms with restaurant facilities, small inns, comfortable bed and breakfast guest houses, and numerous self catering holiday cottages. Restaurants, cafes and pubs provide food and drink during the day, or freshly made traditional Cornish pasties can be bought and enjoyed sitting at a picnic table beside the river.

Lostwithiel is growing, new housing developments are bringing more people into the town, adding to the vitality and well-being of the community. Lostwithiel people care very much about their town, they take pride in it and are happy to welcome others and share its delights with them.

Restormel Castle

The castle, originally built by the Normans on a spur, overlooking the river valley, stands proudly one mile upriver from Lostwithiel. It was rebuilt by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall in the late 13th century, as a splendid residence for himself. The bailey (a large courtyard where the retainers lived) has now disappeared, so has the deer park, where Edmund kept 300 deer. The Black Prince held court here briefly in 1354, and in 1644 the Castle was held for a short time by the Parliamentary Army, before being captured by the Royalists.

The Castle still belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall. It is administered by English Heritage and is open to the public. Various events are staged here from time to time, bringing history to life. The views over the valley from the top of the castle wall are magnificent.

St Winnow.

A tiny hamlet on the East bank of the river is a place of quiet and solitude and worthy of a visit. There is an interesting Farm Museum, and the ancient church has some outstanding stained glass and bench ends. The church was used in the filming of a wedding for the BBC production of 'The Poldarks'.

Lerryn

This is a pretty village set on a tidal creek of the River Fowey, fed by its own small tributary. The bridge was rebuilt by order of Queen Elizabeth I in 1573. There are stepping stones lower down stream which can be used at low tide. The riverside walks through Lerryn's woods are said to have been the inspiration for Kenneth Graham's classic 'The Wind in the Willows'

Lanhydrock House

Now a National Trust property, Lanhydrock was the home of the Robartes family for over 300 years. It was largely rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1881, but the long gallery, famous for its carved plaster ceiling, and the valuable library it contains, escaped and can still be seen in all its glory. The house perfectly reflects the life of the Victorian and Edwardian gentry. The gardens at Lanhydrock are cared for and developed continually, and are a source of delight to thousands of visitors. Although the house is closed from 31 October to 31 March, the park and gardens stay open throughout the year.

Boconnoc.

Boconnoc is a private estate which has been in the hands of many interesting and colourful families since the Norman Conquest. Charles I stayed here during the Siege of Lostwthiel in August 1644. It is said that Charles was the first person to bring a wheeled vehicle into Cornwall. Such was the state of the roads, he was only able to make progress because he had enough servants attending him to carry the coach! Boconnoc still has its deer park, and the gardens are open to the public on four Sunday afternoons in May, in aid of charities.

Lanlivery

The 97 foot tower of St Brevita's Church in this village can be seen from the sea beyond the estuary of the River Fowey, and has been a landmark for sailors for centuries.

Luxulyan

A small village, well known for the Treffry Viaduct, built of granite, supported by ten arches, and originally carrying a stream, a path and a light railway for 700ft. across the beautifully wooded valley, at a height of nearly 100ft.

The Saints' Way

This route across Cornwall linking Padstow and Fowey is so named because it was used in the Dark Ages by Celtic holy men travelling between Ireland, Wales and France. It is marked by a series of crosses, churches, chapels and holy wells dedicated to those early saints. The name is misleading, in that the route had probably been in use for centuries before then, by merchants, traders and itinerant workers. There are pagan shrines, menhyrs and numerous tumuli along the way, giving evidence of human habitation at least three thousand years ago. The overland route was used by travellers of old, rather than risk the hazardous sea voyage round Lands End. The Saints' Way can now be walked in its entirety by the enthusiastic walker, or split up into short sections, and explored in a more leisurely manner.

The Eden Project

This splendid botanical enterprise, developed in an old clay pit, 5 miles west of Lostwithiel, needs no introduction. It is already internationally acclaimed.