This walk was not to lead us down footpaths, but to take us down narrow lanes. Mostly used by farmers I would have imagined since a normal car would struggle to get through most of them! As the lane took us uphill it blessed us with a view over the fields and despite the threatening rain clouds it was still rather pleasant. It was not long before we were no longer in the open and it became dark and foreboding as the overhanging trees made the route seem rather uninviting.
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| From 2012 – 01.05.2012 – Trelawne – Looe Walk |
We were passing by Vensloe and Kiln woods. The Kiln Woods contain a quite a number of deserted Lime Kilns which once dominated the industry in the area. We came across a number of these in a walk later on during our stay in Cornwall, so I will blog some more on this later! These woods provided inspiration of what is known as the Carrion Woods in the PC Game called “The Lost Crown”
We left these rather daunting woods behind, as the lane started to climb once again. It took us past some more the beautiful countryside surroundings. The fields are definitively well cultivated and were a lush shade of green. It showed how the rain that we had been suffering of late has been benefiting our landscape. The immense amount of rain had also topped up the “West Looe River”, which as we passed by, as it was flowing at a tremendous rate.
Wandering on, the Lane continue to rise giving us an even better view across the fields and back across to the “West Looe River”. We had a big bonus when the sun began to appear along with some lovely blue skies, something which had been missing from us for quite a number of weeks. The lane twisted and turned taking us downhill and past Trewith Wood. It was here that we were to cross “East Looe River” Over the bridge we had to cross the Looe Valley Train Line. I have to say, that this was not the safest level crossing I have ever seen, particularly as there were no barriers and no warning signals to say a train was coming! It seems that your eyes were the best warning!
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| From 2012 – 01.05.2012 – Trelawne – Looe Walk |
We were no longer walking any of the country lanes, but walking along a busy roadside. Finally, the “Welcome to Looe” sign homed into view through the trees. This was actually quite nice to see, as this route was a slightly longer than planned when we first decided to walk to Looe! The road passed by a beautiful lake and what is known as St Martin’s Copse. St Martin’s is part of a Parish and although we did not get to see it St Martin’s Parish Church, a local Thomas Bond, the topographer is buried in the churchyard. He was responsible for the publication “Topographical and Historical Sketches of the Boroughs of East and West Looe…”
As their are no pavements on this section of the road, it felt quite hazardous at this point as it was a reasonably busy section. Quite a few cars and delivery vans whizzed by making me feel very nervous. But it was not long before pavement honed into view and we were able to cross over to admire the amazing view over the river to West Looe village. The houses were placed hiccidly piccidly over the hillside which just added to its charm 🙂
Although we know it as Looe, it seems that actually they should be two separate villages. It seems that one of the things that joins the two entities is the bridge over the River Looe. The first recorded bridge that was a wooden bridge built in 1411, which was destroyed by fire. Replaced by a larger stone bridge with a chapel dedicated to St Anne built in the middle which was built in 1436, this fell into disrepair and eventually replace in 1853 by the bridge that stands today. I have to admit to see a Chapel standing in the middle of a bridge must have been pretty stunning, reminds me of the what how they tried to build London Bridge when they had all those shops and houses on it!. We passed by the station and bridge, and into the streets of East Looe. We then headed towards the Quay and seafront.
We spotted a seal across the water – how lovely! but it did not move a statue? Maybe we could investigate later? We passed by the Banjo Pier, designed and built by the Civil Engineer Joseph Thomas. The pier is an odd shape as it as has round circle at the end of the pier, to end the silting in the harbour. The town did not believe in idea so he financed for the “Round” out of his own pocket! I was struck by stone needle, which is a little smaller than Cleopatra’s needle which is situated in London, but still as striking! . We headed back to the town centre only to spot a tiny museum which was built in the 15th century. In fact this was the Old Guildhall & Gaol (Jail) Although I am not sure if you were very tall if u could get up the stairs LOL. (but please try and visit!!)
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| From 2012 – 01.05.2012 – Trelawne – Looe Walk |
We felt that it was time to go to West Looe to investigate. We crossed over the bridge, to the other side of the Quay. It was here I found a stone which had been “Laid HRH Prince George, 24th June 1931”. Although I am unsure if I can find out any further information about this, can anyone let enlighten me? West Looe, is very much smaller than East Looe, and the roads are much steeper and narrower! I was not surprised to see that the route to many of the houses were hundreds of steps uphill!
West Looe had a tiny church, it was very peaceful to enter and I could have spent hours in there! I noted that Joseph Thomas name was on the front of the Church, obviously had been responsible for quite a bit of the structural building in Looe. He had built the road out of West Looe, a part which we did not walk, which was supported by some amazing arches. You will be able to see them in my photo here. The road was opened in 1895, there are 4 arches in total and they carry the road along the steep cliff to Hannafore. As he used ornamental buttresses I mistakenly thought it was an old castle!
We finished our walk by the seal which we spotted earlier, in fact this was statue dedicated to the One Eyed Bull Seal “Nelson” who used to swim these waters regularly for 25 years. He was fed by visitors, fishermen and residents alike. This beautiful bronze statue was created in his memory How lovely!
For all of the walk please feel free to browse my photos –
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| 2012 – 01.05.2012 – Trelawne – Looe Walk |
My Walking route is as follows
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