Short Walk Along Coastal Path From Bude Across Summerleaze Downs

A few photos from when we were in north Cornwall at Bude. The weather unfortunately wasn't too good.

We walked along the coastal path, from Bude, the first part being across Summerleaze Downs as the photo below shows.

We continued along the coastal path and enjoyed the views of the sea and cliffs. There was hardly anyone else about.

There was a small flower memorial on the cliff top - it felt quite sad as the flowers were quite fresh.

I brightened the photo below as everything was getting a bit too dowdy. Always nice to wander through rock pools. 

A stone wall  divided the fields.

On our return to Summerleaze Downs there was a small shelter where we sat for a while as the wind blew. The view wasn't exactly exciting! 

The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall

We hadn't been to the Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel for quite a while. When we arrived today it was very noticeable that there has been some love and attention given to the site.

The Chapel dates back to the 15th century and is now a Grade II listed building.  It is aligned east-west with the east wall built against the natural rock face. Below is an old etching of the chapel I came across a while back - a little artistic licence has been used by the artist!

This is the reality as to how the Menacuddle Well Chapel looks today (below).

The photo below, of the entrance to the chapel, shows how it is built against the rock face.

The chapel now looks all neat and tidy - perhaps a little too clean? A matter of opinion, of course.

On a previous visit I snapped a photo and there was moss and lichen on the roof and sides of the chapel. This somehow made it more mysterious and gave the building a different feel.

The Holy spring water was once held in high regard for its curative powers. Sick children were regularly bathed here and the Victorians  recommended the drinking of its salubrious fluid. It was also used to treat ulcers. 

A local tradition was to throw a bent pin into the water for good luck.

The waterfall is part of the St.Austell River, or Vinnick River, and was often known as the White River. In certain weather conditions the water would become a milky white from local china clay.

On the opposite of the river to the chapel is the Druids Chair made from solid granite - as below. It has also been called King Arthur's Seat. A bit of a mystery - but it's quite comfortable - for a rock!

A couple of photos now of the small gardens and pond.

Ah yes, and I saw this painted stone on the wall. On the back it says that it was painted by Rosie, aged 8. So there is still magic here, it hasn't all been swept away.

Menacuddle  isn't that well sign posted. If visiting by car take the the Bodmin Road from St.Austell town. It's only a few minutes drive but can easily be missed. The entrance only has a small sign ….

Look out for the Elderly People sign - the entrance is just after this.

There is parking but only for about four cars. But, in saying this, I have never seen anyone else at the chapel and well when I have made a visit.

Walking the Coastal Path from Polkerris, Cornwall : 12 Photos

A few photos I snapped from the coastal path after leaving Polkerris - see my Polkerris Post. It's a pleasant walk along the cliff tops, with lots of open sea views.

Only a few boats in the sea. The yachts below were from Polkerris - where various lessons are available.

Looking across to the far coastline, Carlyon Bay and Spit Beach can be seen.

The whitish looking beach, to the left of the photo below, is Carlyon Bay.

The china clay works, in the middle of the next photo, were once a hive of activity but all is now quiet.

The people paddling in the sea have walked out from Par Beach - as you can tell, the tide goes out a very long way!

Small rippling waves as the tide gradually flows in.

As well as looking out to sea, there are often interesting things happening inland. The farmer below was turning over his cut grass, which was drying out nicely in the sunshine.

The grass had just been cut on other fields.

And we were lucky enough to see a few horses roaming free in the fields.

Finally back at the sand dunes of Par Beach (also known as Par Sands).

Other Posts From this area :

(1) Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day 
(2) The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall 
(3) What The Low Tide Reveals at Spit Beach, Cornwall

The Secret Cornish Beach : Booley Beach

Booley Beach isn't well known as it is tucked away and has no facilities. It has the advantage though of being quite peaceful. I have never seen it to be very busy. 

There are no restrictions for dogs and swimming is considered safe, if the conditions are right - but care should obviously be taken and also with any inflatables. 

There are, I guess, two disadvantages to Booley: there is a walk to get to the beach (thus why it is often known as being secret) and a lot of the sand disappears at high tide. 

My photos were taken in June.

Okay, to get to Booley Beach the best place to park the car is at Par Sands. Go into the main car park, it's bit lumpy bumpy, and park on the left, near to the Car Park machine - regrettably, as in most car parks, there is a small charge.

From here you should be able to see the start of the Public Footpath, there's what looks like a small footbridge. The coastal path climbs from here, but this means there are lots of views over the sea.

It's a well trodden path and after about ten or fifteen minutes you will see Booley Beach on the right. There's a stony path down to the sand.

If you aren't happy with the beach keep on walking and you will reach Polkerris harbour, with all the facilities required - a pub on the beach, food, ice-creams and so on. More details on my post : Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day.

It's also possible to reach Booley Beach from Polkeris but the village gets very busy in the summer season and car parking is limited. It's also quite a climb up the steps to join the coastal path.

Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day

Thursday was such a lovely day it couldn't be wasted so we walked along the cliff top coastal path to Polkerris. The cove is tucked away from the maddening crowd down a narrow lane, though we approached it down a path from the cliff top. 

The photo above shows the harbour wall and a few boats - the tide was out.

The next pic is from the footpath as it wiggles quite steeply down from the cliff top. It's quite safe though.

Polkerris has a long history, it's an old fortified harbour or safe haven.

From the cliff top path the harbour and small beach is approached alongside the Rashleigh Inn - the 'Inn on the Beach' as it is often called. There's a balcony to the front overlooking the sea and harbour. A pleasant place to have a drink and watch the sun go down.

We had our lunch with us so sat on the harbour wall with our mug of tea and a pasty.

Looking from the harbour wall it shows how secluded Polkerris actually is. If travelling by car there is only one narrow road in and out of the village so it's necessary to use the car park. There are a few spaces behind the Rashleigh Inn but these are usually filled.

From the harbour wall you can see the Rashleigh Inn and another food outlet.

The Cornish flag was flying high on the harbour wall - a white cross on a black background.

Also on the wall are some cannons - embedded in the harbour wall!

As I said earlier this was a fortified cove and it is believed that these canons are from the Napoleonic Era.

Polkerris is a very pleasant place to visit and can be approached from coastal footpaths to the west and east - if you are a walker.

To leave Polkerris it's back past the Rashleigh Inn … 

… and time to face the steep path and steps up to the coastal path. From the top another look at Polkerris and the wonderful coastline. It's a touch of magic when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. It looks a little different though in the winter, as a previous post Polkerris The Fortified Cove, Cornwall shows.

Raining In Cornwall But There's A Rainbow Melting Troubles Like Lemon Drops

A shorter than usual post today as I have had a small computer problem - but will soon be sorted! Plenty of photos on my previous post - 24 to be precise.

Anyway, today's four photos show that it does rain in Cornwall at times. The photos are all of St.Austell. Above shows the White Hart Hotel, Restaurant and Bar with the 'Red Bank', a Grade II listed building, in the background.

The listing for the Red Bank reads:

"A large 'Queen Anne' style 4 storeyed bank building occupying a prominent location in the centre if St. Austell. The building was designed by Silvanus Trevail and was completed in 1898"

Opposite the White Hart is the Holy Trinity church, where a Royal Mail van (photo below) decided to park while deliveries were made.

The Holy Trinity Church  tower dates back to between 1478 and 1487, though there has been a church here for many more years.

I'll finish with a rainbow above the chimney pots - where troubles melt like lemon drops - well that's how the song goes.

Have a Happy Day.