Things To Do...
Walks
1. Looe to Barlandue (via Talland bay) (approx 3.5 miles ) For this we took the car to Looe (only because we missed the bus) and took the coast path from Hannafore. The walk took an hour to the cafe at Talland Bay and a further half an hour to return to Barlandue. It was a lovely day, but this walk would have been great in almost any weather.
2. Barlandue to Polruan ( approx 9 miles) Here we took the opportunity of a day in September, one of the first fine days of summer 2008. This walk takes the coast path westwards to the picturesque village of Polruan. It took about five hours in all including stops for breath (some of the hills were quite steep, 161 steps up one of them!), food and the discovery of some hidden beaches. Once in Polruan we took the ferry across the river to Fowey, where there are shops and places to eat. We finally caught a bus back from Polruan which stopped right outside Barlandue. An exhausting day, but worth every aching joint! Points to watch: Cornish Mile posts, take then with a pinch of salt!
3. Barlandue circular walk (approx 2.5 miles) From Barlandue, if you take the turning off to Killigarth, on the opposite side of the road, and then turn left down Bridals Lane, after a fairly steep decent, you will find yourself at Talland Bay. There is a cafe there, perfect for a morning "Coffee Walk", and lovely views out onto the bay. The return journey is rather more challenging! It can be made by climbing the coast path to Polperro and turning off just after the war memorial. This takes you back to the road just past Killigarth.
4. Mount Edgecombe Country Park Mount Edgecombe has an imposing position overlooking the Tamar estuary and Plymouth to the East, and the lovely coastline of the Rame peninsular to the South. There are a number of circular walks here, with cafes at Mount Edgecombe House and down the hill at Cremyl. You could easily spend the whole day here.
Houses and Gardens
Heligan Just 20 miles drive from Barlandue, using the car ferry from Bodinnick across to Fowey. Alternatively there is a ferry from Fowey to Mevagissey and busses thereon to Heligan. These gardens are well worth the effort though. Particular favourite parts for us were the Jungle and the Italian garden, but a day is hardly long enough to explore it thoroughly.
Cotehele St Dominick, nr Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6TA. Tudor house with superb collections of textiles, armour and furniture, set in extensive grounds
Antony House Torpoint, Cornwall PL11 2QA. Superb early 18th-century mansion set in parkland and fine gardens. Landscaped by renowned Georgian garden designer, Humphrey Repton. Visit the National Collection of daylilies
Mount Edgecombe (See walks). The House and Earl's Garden (admission charged) is open Sunday to Thursday and Bank Holiday Monday between 11am and 4.30pm, 1 April to 30 September
Lanhydrock Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AD. Magnificent late Victorian country house with extensive servants' quarters, gardens and wooded estate.
Beaches
Talland Bay Only 20 minutes walk from Barlandue. It is a rocky little cove with a bit of sand at low tide. Popular with divers and anglers. You can hire canoes at the Talland beach cafe, where you can also get an excellent cup of coffee!
Lantic Bay Take the road to Polruan and park in on of the signposted car parks. Alternativelt take the ERH bus from Looe, which passes Barlandue. A steep descent, but a wonderful beach, large, sandy with lots of rocky pools. Take a packed lunch!
Whitsand Bay Accessible from Crafthole or Freathy, this beach is several miles of sand, interspersed with rocky outcrops, and bounded by cliffs. Breathtaking!
The Eden Project Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, PL24 2SG. Deservedly well-reknowned. This is a MUST for any visit to Cornwall.
Looe to Polperro
Talland Bay
Heligan
January sunset
Lantic Bay
Whitsand Bay