The Fowey Hall Walk is one of countless excellent walks in Cornwall. These encompass a wide range of habitats and terrain; from coastal and creekside to woodland and moors. But the renowned Hall Walk holds a special place in the hearts of many for its abundance of beautiful views and interesting features; it is also a generally gentle, fairly short (approximately three miles) and easy to follow route, although with some steep ascents and descents. Originally designed as a promenade for the aristocratic owners of Fowey Hall, now the Fowey Hall Hotel, the walk can also be extended to include a stunning section of Lantic Bay scenery.
Panoramic and Cameo views across Fowey Harbour and to the Sea Beyond
To begin, park at the Bodinnick car park and take the chain ferry as a foot passenger across the river. This is a charming beginning to the excursion and provides the first ship’s-eye views of Fowey's deep-water harbour and its many colourful boats. Once across the river, the walk begins in earnest with a steep climb up the hill ahead, culminating in a signposted path to the right leading into woodland. From then on the path wends through woodland along the cliffs rising above Pont Pill, a delightful tidal river thought to have been the inspiration for the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger in Kenneth Graham’s "Wind in the Willows". Gaps in the foliage provide tantalising cameo glimpses of the harbour and town below, the pastel painted houses of Fowey rising up the hillside as if to display themselves for the observer's maximum pleasure. There are plenty of benches and stopping places, including those at the War Memorial and the Monument dedicated to the author and historian Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, one of the most famous sons of Fowey.
The path now descends to the head of Pont Pill where there is an old Mill House and a bridge; this is an excellent place to eat a packed lunch if the walk has commenced in the morning. The spot is unspoilt by development and bird watchers may see here the rarer birds that eschew the bustle of the harbour a mile and a half down-river.
Daphne Du Maurier was Married at Lanteglos Church
The walk continues across the bridge to enter a clearly visible path leading into more woodland. A few yards up the path there is a steep path of stone steps rising off to the right of the main path; this is the direction to take for walkers who wish to continue the traditional Hall Walk to Polruan. By continuing straight along, the walker will come to Lanteglos Church where another famous citizen of Fowey, the author Daphne Du Maurier, was married. This longer walk continues to take in a spectacular sweeping view of the sea, and provides access to a path leading down to Lantic Bay beach, before returning across farmland to Polruan.
Our shorter alternative continues up the steep stone steps, across some fields and back to the woodland ridge, once again with regular glimpses across the valley and down to Pont Pill. Polruan is clearly signposted at any junctions and there is a further opportunity to take a shortcut to Lanteglos Church. Finally, the steep and pretty harbourside town of Polruan is reached. Here at the waterside the walker can take the Polruan ferry across to Fowey. A small traditional ferryboat rather than a chain ferry, this journey provides a second opportunity to observe the colourful harbour boats and buoys at close hand, and even to trail a hand in the (hopefully) sparkling waters.
Upon landing at Fowey, nothing remains of the Hall Walk but to meander back through this pretty town with its wide range of tempting shops - these include many local art and craft outlets. Finally, it's back to the car park at Bodinnick – perhaps stopping for an ice-cream at the quayside on the way.
Cathy Anne Smith - Hello :) I wrote for Suite 101 until March 2011 and now publish my own fiction at Poems and Short Stories to Read Online .
