Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/lantic-bay/fowey-hall-walk
Map Ref: SX130522
Classic walk with stunning views
This famous three mile walk between Polruan and Bodinnick offers stunning views over Fowey, the estuary and out to sea. Originally a promenade for Hall Manor, built just above Bodinnick in the 13th century, it can be a circular four mile walk if started in Fowey using the Polruan and Bodinnick ferries to complete the loop.
The walk is well signed and almost entirely traffic free, via woodland paths. It's a moderately easy walk with some ups and downs and unsealed paths. There are lots of bluebells and wild garlic in the woods in spring.
Parking is available in Fowey at either the top car park next to Fowey Hall or the Caffa Mill car park next to the Bodinnick Ferry. Refreshments are available at the Old Ferry Inn in Bodinnick, the Lugger Inn, Russell Inn and cafes in Polruan, or the many cafes, restaurants and pubs in Fowey.
Starting from Bodinnick slipway, right alongside Ferryside, one of Daphne Du Maurier's residences, walk up the steep lane past the Old Ferry Inn. Part-way up the hill on the right is a narrow footpath signed Hall Walk. Follow the footpath to the 'Q' memorial. Here there is a steep path down to the water's edge at Penleath Point which can be taken as a diversion. The memorial stands above Penleath Point with open views of Fowey Harbour and Polruan. 'Q' was the novelist and scholar Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944) who lived in Fowey from 1892 until his death. From the 'Q' memorial, the path runs high along the northern bank of Pont Pill. At the end of the wooded section, pass through the stile and kissing gate, walk along the field fence line (on your right) for a short way before taking the right hand gate back into the woods. This section of path drops down and is rocky. At the junction, turn sharp right, almost doubling back, and continue down to the small hamlet of Pont. Cross the wooden bridge to the southern shore of Pont Pill and continue up the path past the cottages on your right. Take the first path on the right signed Polruan. Follow the path uphill through a gate into a series of fields. The path runs along the top and then through a gate into woodland. At this gate take the lower path which you stay on all the way to Polruan. In Polruan, a pedestrian ferry runs from the quay to Fowey. In summer you will arrive at Whitehouse Quay and winter at Town Quay in Fowey. From both quays you will want to turn right and walk north along Fore Street to Caffa Mill, a large car park where the vehicle ferry runs back to Bodinnick.
Fowey Polruan The Coastal Footpath Walks and Walking in Cornwall Cornwall's Ferrys