The Magical Hall Walk at Fowey Cornwall - With Lots of Photos

Today one of my favourite Cornwall walks. There is something about this area which resonates with me. I find it quite magical. I'd better add that the photos are prior the coronavirus

There is a story about King Charles I and the English Civil War relevant to the area: On the 17th of August 1644 King Charles narrowly escaped death when a shot killed a poor fisherman who was standing where the King had stood but a short while before.

This is generally known as the Hall Walk. We usually park the car and then walk down the Esplanade towards the town ...

… until we reach what was once Sir Arthur Quiller Couch's home - as below. It is said he would look at the river and the beautiful view as inspiration for his poems and writing.

From here we catch the small ferry across the River Fowey to Polruan. Note that, to confuse things a little, the ferry sometimes runs from Fowey Harbour - usually in winter.

It's only a short ferry trip but it adds novelty to the walk - especially as there is also another ferry trip at the end of the walk, but more on that later.

The Lugger Inn is on the Polruan quay. It's possible to explore the small village from here. See my blog Polruan, Cornwall : Coastal Views, Chapel Ruins And A Castle.

To continue the Hall Walk head along the road and left for the hills by the River Fowey. From here their are lovely views across the river.

We make our way along the wooded path looking down at the river. We encountered a cockerel! Goodness knows where he came from but he didn't bother us so we didn't bother him.

Continuing along the path we are now alongside a tributary of the river Fowey with the catchy name of Pont Pill.

It was a shame that the tide was out in Pont Pill as it didn't look its best - was a little muddy looking. But it's still pleasant countryside and we were up high looking down on the river. The fields we walked along here often have cows and other animals roaming free.

Through the trees we could now look down on Ponts Pill itself - so walking downhill for a while now.

Here we are able to cross the Pont Pill as there is a bridge across the water. It's also here that we often make a short detour to the lovely church at Lanteglos-by-Fowey.

Daphne du Maurier was married at the church and there is also a legend about the patron saint who carried his head after being decapitated. See my post: The Decapitated Saint Chose Where He Wanted His Cornish Church To Be Built

It is believed that Pont Pill was also the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger's adventures in his book The Wind in the Willows

There is a notice board from 1894 showing 'discharging dues'.

Right, lets carry on walking - it's uphill along the opposite side of Pont Pill.

The path climbs higher and there are views of the river through the trees.

The path goes into a farmer's field via a very old cattle grid.

There is a right of way along the side of the field. Be aware that there are sometimes farm animals in the field.

Once out of the field we are now looking down on the river. If the weather is right the views open up before us. 

Unfortunately when I snapped this photo it was a little hazy but in the distance you can see the entrance to the River Fowey. 

On the hill to the right of the photo it's possible to just make out the Gribbin Tower on Gribbin Head. This is where much of Daphne Du Maurier's book Rebecca is based and also the house Manderley. The Gribbin farmland is the location of the murderous avian attacks in the classic film and Du Maurier's book, The Birds.

As we continue along the path we can now see the town of Fowey on the opposite side of the river.

We now leave the coastal path and head down to Bodinnick and the Bodinnick Ferry to cross the Fowey River. 

We pass the Old Ferry Inn

The Bodinnick Ferry is arriving to take us across the river to Fowey.

But, before we board the ferry, a sneaky look into the garden at Ferryside. This is the house where the author Daphne du Maurier lived when she published her very first novel. The garden is rarely seen as there is usually a big gate stopping any view.

I snapped a quick photo prior to boarding the ferry.

Once on the ferry we can look back at Ferryside.

The ferry takes us back to Fowey. From here we have to retrace our steps, first through the narrow town, and then back to where we parked the car.

A few quick photos of the walk through Fowey.

To see 24 more photos of Fowey itself - though on a dull day - see my post: A Flavour Of the Old Town of Fowey, Cornwall With 24 Photo

MAP SHOWING HALL WALK, FOWEY

Kindly note photos were taken prior to the coronavirus. Stay safe.