How to get here
For more information about how to get to Lostwithiel by car, train, bus and plane, please see How to get here.
Walks and paths
There are a number of walks in and around Lostwithiel to suit all ages and abilities. You can visit historic buildings, walk along ancient routes or simply enjoy the unspoilt countryside.
Guided Walks around Lostwithiel by the Lostwithiel Museum Association
Each Thursday at 11.00am from April 5th to October 25th there is a Guided Walk which leaves the Community Centre and follows a route through the streets and lanes of this ancient town to trace its history from medieval times through the English civil war to the present day. The walk lasts 1 1/2 hours and costs £3.50 per person (free for accompanied children).
Many organisations enjoy a visit to explore the historic town and the walk can be arranged to suit the needs of groups so why not combine a visit with a wander around the interesting specialist shops and sample one of the many eateries. For details telephone 01208 872684.
Alternatively, download the PDFs for 'Places to look out for' and 'Children's challenge' to explore Lostwithiel on your own.
PDF words and images by Barbara and Ian Fraser from the Heritage Trail brochure © Lostwithiel Forum.
Walks Around Lostwithiel Book
A guide called Walks Around Lostwithiel is available from the town museum and several shops, published by the Lostwithiel Town Council.
It features a number of river and circular walks in and around the historic town of Lostwithiel. Written by Colin Buck and beautifully illustrated by Carol Roughton, it is priced at £2.50.
Riverside walk and nature reserve
The Fowey river meanders through 
Coulson Park and Shirehall Moor, making it an ideal spot for a stroll.
Coulson park has road access and a car park in the centre. There is a fenced children's playground, grassy river banks and well-established trees.
From the end of Coulson Park you can walk along a short quay towards Shirehall Moor. There is a well-defined gravel path and picnic benches with barbecue spots.
At Shirehall Moor the valley opens out to a wide salt marsh. The Moor is a haven for wildlife and a great deal of conservation work has been done in recent years.
Access: suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Dogs allowed.
Picture by Debbie Curtis
Saints' Way
The Saints' Way is a 26 mile (42 km) north to south coastal walk across Cornwall from Padstow to Fowey, which passes through Lostwithiel.
It follows the possible route that early Christian missionaries and pilgrims walked rather than risk the dangerous sea passage around Land's End, as they made their way from Ireland to mainland Europe. The route passes a number of religious sites connected with Cornish Saints and Holy Men and a wide variety of scenery including woodland, pastures moors and villages.
Find out more about the Saints' Way from the Lostwithiel Tourist Information Centre.
Lanhydrock Valley Walk
Distance
Lostwithiel to Lanhydrock: 2.7 miles (4.3km)
Lanhydrock to Bodmin Parkway station: 1 mile (1.6km)
The walk from Lostwithiel upstream along the Fowey river valley is level, mostly paved and traffic free. Follow Restormel Road past the turning to Restormel Castle and through Restormel Manor farm. The access-only paved road passes through wooded areas and fields.
The road ends at the waterworks; go through double farm gates and across a field, then down a track across another field. A heavy gate marks the entrance to the Lanhydrock estate. A path through the woods will take you past farm buildings to the gatehouse at the end of the Lanhydrock House drive.
Visit Lanhydrock House and the National Trust cafe for refreshment before continuing through the beautiful grounds of Respryn to Bodmin Parkway Station. Cafe and toilets at the station. Check the train timetables for services stopping at Lostwithiel.
View Lanhydrock Valley Walk on Google Maps
Lerryn Riverside Woodland Walk
Distance
Lostwithiel to St Winnow: 2 miles (3.2km)
St Winnow to Lerryn: 2.5 mile (4km)
This is a great varied walk for the whole family. The first section is largely traffic free over hills, while the second section is entirely traffic free through flat woodland along the river.
From the medieval bridge in Lostwithiel cross the railway and continue up the hill past the Earl of Chatham pub. At the crossroads turn right to Lerryn.
From the hill out of Lostwithiel, take the right turn signed to Polmena. The road turns into a wooded track and joins the road into St Winnow at the top of a hill. Walk down into St Winnow and stop for refreshment at the farm, which sells home-made burgers and cream teas. There is a Farm Museum and the beautiful 12th century church has fine carvings dating from the 15th century.
From the slipway into the river, walk along the water's edge then climb the stile into a field. Follow the path along the bottom of the field and into the woods. A well-defined track follows the edge of the Fowey river. There are spectacular views downstream to Golant where the Lerryn river meets the Fowey. Continue along the edge of the river until you reach Lerryn. If the tide is low enough you can cross the stepping stones. Have a meal at the Ship Inn or enjoy an ice-cream overlooking the river.
View Lerryn Riverside Woodland Walk on Google Maps
Restormel Castle Walk
Distance: 2.75 miles (4.4km)
This is walk along very quiet country roads, past Restormel Castle and through fields and woods. It's an excellent walk for winter months when trees are bare, giving much clearer views of the castle and down the Fowey river valley. The route crosses some farmland so make sure dogs are on a lead.
Free parking is available in car park next to Lostwithiel Community Centre. From the entrance of the car park, cross the A390 onto Restormel Road and follow this as far as Restormel Farm. To the right of the farm are Restormel Manor and holiday cottages owned by Duchy of Cornwall. Turn left up the hill to castle.
Restormel Castle is a 13th century circular shell-keep above the Fowey river valley, which is managed by English Heritage and open April to October
At Restormel Castle car park, go through the gate and head south-east up the field. Climb the stile and go through the kissing gate. Turn round for an aerial view (clearest in winter) of Restormel Castle and the Fowey river valley. Climb the stile and cross the top of the next field, then cross another stile to follow the footpath south along a ridge.
At the road, cross to the narrow track that runs along side the house. At the junction with Tanhouse Road, turn south into town. At the woods cross the small wooden bridge across the stream, and follow the footpath parallel to the road. The footpath rejoins Tanhouse Road on the outskirts of the town.
At the end of Tanhouse Road, cross the A390 onto South Street. The Cober river runs under South Street, covered with large granite slabs. At the junction with Church Lane, turn towards the Church and cross Fore Street to reach North Street. At North Street, turn towards the Fowey River, then into the Community Centre car park.
View Restormel Walk on Google Maps
Hall Walk
Distance: 3 miles (4.8km)
This famous 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 walk if started in Fowey using the Polruan and Bodinnick ferries.
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 Boddinick, the Lugger Inn, Russell Inn and cafes in Polruan, or the many cafes, restaurants and pubs in Fowey.
To start at Polruan, take the passenger ferry from Fowey Town Quay. In Polruan, walk up Fore Street, along East Street, then turn right up steps to a woodland path signed "Hall Walk". Follow the path parallel to Pont Pill creek, cross at Pont footbridge and continue along the other side of the creek and then along the Fowey until you reach Bodinnick. Take the ferry from Boddinick back to Fowey.
The route from Boddinick starts with the car ferry from Fowey's Caffa Mill. Walk up the main hill pas the Old Ferry Inn and take the path signed "Hall Walk" on the right. Follow the route in reverse as described above, finishing at Polruan and the passenger ferry back to Fowey.
It's worth taking a diversion to the beautiful St Wyllow church near Pont Pill. The coast path east of Polruan skirts along the top of Lantic bay round to Pencarrow Head which gives amazing views on a clear day as far as the Lizard to the west and to Salcombe in Devon to the east.