A
RAMBLE AROUND COTEHELE
Cotehele
a fine example of a Tudor house 1485 and 1627 set amidst deciduous woodlands
of the Danescombe and Morden valleys, over looking the ebb and flow of
the River Tamar. Valley sides dotted with hidden mine shafts, lime kilns
redundant fields of daffodils.
| Distance: | 5.28 miles
(longer walk) 2.2 miles (shorter walk) |
Recommended
maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 108 |
|
| Grade: | Easy Terrain: Track, footpath & fields Dog friendly but not allowed in the NT gardens. |
||
| Facilities: | Refreshments
& toilets at the Quay by the main house &Calstock Cotehele House opening times 22 March - 22nd Nov 11am - last admission 4.30pm Garden daily 1030am to dusk - Mill last admission 5pm 22 March - 22nd Nov Small, National Maritime Museum, at the quay Tamar passenger ferry Ferry from the quay to Calstock and return Prices £3.00 adults, child £2.00 24th May - 24th Sep call 01822 833331 Calstock Ferry and Motor launch company for more info. |
||
| Parking: |
The walk starts from the National Trust Quay car park at Cotehele
GR 424682
|
||
 |
|
Cotehele
House
|
 |
|
Calstock
Viaduct
|
|
All information given in good faith and for use as guidance only. |
 |
|
Cotehele
Pond
|
 |
|
The
Shamrock - Cotehele
|
Starts from the quay car park follows the meanders of the River Tamar upstream through NT woodland to Danescombe valley and just beyond before cutting inland through redundant daffodil slopes, past old engine houses and a fabulous view point from Cotehele tower and back, via the medieval house and gardens to the quay.
For a longer version you can continue further upstream under a viaduct to the quaint riverside village of Calstock. From here a path along a dyke follows the broad meander of the Tamar, where you will be walking adjacent to reed beds away from it all. Take a short cut back to Calstock, retrace your steps towards Cotehele and join the shorter walk before reaching Danescombe valley.
From the car park follow the broad track through the woods towards Calstock. The River Tamar is on your right. Pass a chapel on your right and the lower gardens of Cotehele on the left. Make a point of stopping at a look out point above the Tamar. The settlement ahead is Calstock; the viaduct carries the railway ling from Gunnislake to Plymouth. Devon is on the opposite shore.
A steep-ish climb and descent leads to Danescombe Valley.
FOR the extended walk: Turn right past a row of cottages, follow the path and quiet lane into Calstock. Turn left to drop down to the slipway, toilets, village hall, play ground, pub and riverside café.
From the slipway in Calstock follow a path adjacent the football pitch, by a line of netting. This path along the riverside offers a delightful upstream meander by reedbeds. At the end of the path, go through a kissing gate; turn left follow the quiet road back to Calstock, ignoring a turn to the right. Retrace your steps back to the car park or for a longer walk take the public footpath to your right just before Calstock boatyard (on your left about 500m past the viaduct). And follow the directions below. From SOON THE FOOTPATH DIVIDES.
Take the second public footpath to the left just past Calstock boat yard climbing up through woodland.
SOON THE FOOTPATH DIVIDES. Go under the footbridge, passing a house on the left before meeting a tarmaced track, turn right, it soon becomes a path. In spring these wooded slopes are covered with daffodils and narcissi.
Bear left at a wooden fence, descending into the Danescombe Valley.
Take a left by the stream and first right over a wooden footbridge. You are now heading up and back towards Cotehele. At the top of this narrow path turn left, the track is wider and offers views through the trees back over Calstock.
BE CAREFUL HERE. Look out for a small stream tumbling across your path. 20 yards beyond small steps lead to a footpath to your right. The path disappears into the field but climb up and to your left soon a tower will appear on the horizon. (How many sides has it got?) Head to the right of the folly towards a cluster of wind torn pine trees and a gate. Go through the gate. Beware of the MUD.
If the tower is open you can climb to the top.
From the tower follow a row of trees down to a kissing gate. The wall ahead is the boundary of Cotehele gardens and house. Turn left (or you can enter the gardens here) follow the outside perimeter of the wall, pass through a gate, the house is on your right and the entrance further on.
It is a short walk back down to the quay.
Opening times of Cotehele House & Gardens
Cotehele house opening times 22 March - 22nd Nov 11am - last admission 4.30pm
Garden daily 1030am to dusk.
Mill a unique complex of buildings comprises of a water powered water
mill, collection workman's tools. Stone ground flour on sale. Last admission
5pm 22 March - 22nd Nov.
Museum - Disabled access, 30p entrance National Maritime Museum
Tamar passenger ferry - Ferry from the quay to Calstock
and return. Prices £3.00 adults, child £2.00 24th May - 24th
Sept.
Call 01822 833331 Calstock Ferry and Motor launch company for more information.
