Looe Valley Bluebells
LOOE VALLEY WALK
March 2013 Update on this blog: YOU MUST NOW WEAR WELLIES on this 1 hour roundtrip walk in the Looe Valley starting at Sandplace!! But it’s still a fantastic walk, particularly in spring. You can easily reach it by taking either the bus or train out of Looe along Sandplace Road and alighting at Sandplace Station. (I walked part of the route this morning Sat 30 March.)
“I set off walking this morning from Polraen Hotel, up the Looe Valley to Sandplace Station with our black labrador May, and ended up having one of those walks that makes you happy to be alive! Continuing along the lane toward Tregarland Bridge, we veered off on a public footpath above the Looe Valley railway line, stumbled across two courting ducks and strolled along the track above the Looe River with wild garlic brushing our ankles.
March 2013 update: Rain storms over the winter have resulted in the stream/river adopting the footpath/green lane in two places between Plashford and Lower Wringworthy. Although sink holes have appeared in two places on the footpath where the new water course has eroded the old surface, the route is perfectly walkable on foot with wellies but now totally unsuitable for 4 wheel drives (thankfully).
After about half an hour walking along the track in the valley bottom next to the river, I intended to stop at Lower Wringworthy, but it was a lovely morning so I continued on a circular walk, finally emerging on the main road heading back through Morval. Then we headed down past Tregarland Farm back into the Looe Valley. The views down onto the valley below are stunning, looking beyond inquisitive cows to fields of sheep grazing at Morval Barton Farm. We continued past John and Val’s cottage (John grows flowers and soft fruits for our hotel), and we headed back down to the valley bottom to join the B3254 past Sandplace Station back to Polraen.
All in all, a one hour walk which lifted the spirits and made me so happy to be living in South East Cornwall. The dog thought it was a treat too! It’s not often I get the time to do what our guests can do from our doorstep at Polraen! But walking in the Looe Valley is good for the soul!! Following the long winter which has finally turned into longer spring days warmed recently by lots of sunshine, the hedgerows in the Looe Valley are stunning. With an extended flowering season, the daffodils and primroses are still vying for attention along the roadside while carpets of bluebells are appearing on the wooded slopes. Pink and white campions and violets peep from the grassy banks and the first signs of cherry blossom are showing on the trees.
At Polraen, we like to help guests explore without the car lending them maps and providing public transport information for the bus and Looe Valley train. There’s a range of walks accessible from the stations along the railway line in a handy ‘Trails from the Track’ pack published by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. Spring is one of the best times to visit.
3 for 2 OFFER IN APRIL
Take advantage of our great 3 nights for the price of 2 offer in our double and twin rooms available between 8-30 April. Book direct on 01503 263956.
