Kingsand to Cremyll - 3.5 miles

OS Explorer 108: grid reference SX435504 to SX454534

Walk Duration : 1 hour 40 minutes

This walk was undertaken in reverse. This stage offers several options to use as start points. Purists will want to start at the car park at Cawsand and walk on from there. Others may wish to park at Cremyll car park and do the walk in reverse. We chose to 'let the train take the strain' and travel up to Plymouth before catching the Cremyll Ferry from Admiral's Hard in Stonehouse, Plymouth. From Cremyll we walked through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and along the coastpath as far as Cawsand before making an inland return over Maker Heights - Otherwise you could follow the 5 mile circular Walk 60 in Classic Walks Cornwall  Book 1 entitled 'Mount Edgcumbe and Cawsand Bay'. In Summer it is possible to catch another ferry back to The Barbican in Plymouth for your return route. On arriving at Cremyll Quay aboard the 'Northern Belle' disembark and walk ahead and to the left to enter the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park through some imposing gates next to the Visitor Centre. At the wooden finger-post turn immediate left as signed 'Formal Gardens & Orangery Restaurant' . Pass the Orangery Restaurant and continue through the Italian Garden pausing to look at the mermaid fountain and statues. Bear to your left to pass between some high hedges then follow the path as it runs beside a wall. The path then runs to the left of a blockhouse as it leads up to Garden Battery with its cannons looking across Plymouth Sound towards Devil's Point.

Rejoin the footpath bearing left at a path junction heading west as signed 'The Ampitheatre'. Climb gradually up the wide concrete path. Pass the small duckpond and head for the small circular structure known as Milton's Temple by walking along the back of the beach. Pass the warning notice to climb a narrow path; it steepens as it nears a tall wooden gate. To your right lies a ruined tower. To your left lies the Barn Pool. At another path fork take the upper, more distinct path to a waymark post. Take 5 minutes out to climb up to and photograph The Folly at Ravenness Point

Retrace your steps to the marker post and folllow the narrow grassy path as it drops away seaward. Look left to Drake's Island through the trees. Pass above the beach taking care where the roots of trees cross your path. Walk by another waymark post and a brick 'cupboard' before dropping down to the shoreline. Watch the busy sea traffic in Plymouth Sound before crossing the long boardwalk. Climb up the slightly muddy incline passing another almost hidden marker post. A further post directs you sharply inland where you climb some wooden steps to a notice indicating a path diversion due to a recent landslip. Zig-zag up through the woods beside a wooden fence. Climb the 67 wooden steps to a tiny seat. Catch your breath. Now about 40 minutes into your walk continue climbing another 20 steps to a wooden gate. Pass the arched structure and then take the stone steps to a woodland path as it zig-zags down. Take care at the steepest parts! Pass the obligatory waymarker following the wide shady path. Look below to see the 140 year old Picklecombe Fort. Progress along the level wide path is swift and the area is very peaceful especially in early Spring. Pause awhile to look at the Gothic Stone Seat known as Picklecombe Seat. Continue on the wide path as it kinks around above the fort. Pass the bench dedicated to Mildred Brimble taking the lower waymarked path at a fork. Keep straight on to pass by an old rusty metal gate and through the large wooden gate. Shortly Kingsand and Cawsand come into view as you walk beside another seat. Drop down the path to walk alongside a narrow road. Go through a wooden kissing gate and along the road for about 50 metres before taking the signed coastal route. Rest at Nancy Glover's seat if you wish, looking back up the rocky coast towards Picklecombe Fort. Look ahead across Cawsand Bay as you stroll easily along the wide grassy path known as the Minadhu Brakes. The imposing structure high on the hill above right is the Maker Battery. There are a choice of paths but don't worry because they join up as you enter Kingsand. Pass several bench seats - useful if there is a lot happening in Cawsand Bay - otherwise continue into Kingsand passing a handy map of the two settlements. As you meet the main road, walk west along Heavitree Road into Market Street. Pass Kingsand Institute and the highly recommended Halfway House Inn. Continue along the narrow road pausing to look at the former boundary marker on a house in Garrett Street. as you enter Cawsand (Cornwall) bear around right to The Square before heading seaward once more to pass the Gig Club Boathouse. Head towards the beach to meet the waiting area for the Cawsand Ferry to Plymouth Barbican. Make use of the ferry (in Season) or follow the inland route as suggested earlier. See also my map of the surrounding area for more details.... More Photographs

This is the end of the South Cornwall Coast Path.

Cremyll to Plymouth (Stonehouse) Ferry - For more information and fare prices contact Tamar Cruising on (01752) 822105

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