Newquay Cliff Tops Plus an Abundance of Sand at the Gannel Estuary, Cornwall

In my previous post I mentioned that we recently stayed in Newquay for a few days. As well as enjoying Fistral Beach we also walked in the opposite direction along the Esplanade.

It wasn't what I would call a 'proper' walk, more of an easy stroll, but it was nice to relax and enjoy the views without many other people about.

There were still a few wild flowers on the cliffs as the photos above and below show.

The walk / stroll was mostly along the cliff tops. Then came a view of Lewinnick Lodge on the Pentire Headland. This seemingly has 'boutique accommodation' along with being a restaurant and bar. It certainly has a fine position - when the weather is behaving itself.

We continued walking along the cliffs ...

… until, that is, we reached an abundance of sand at the Gannel Estuary.

If you like sand and lots of elbow room this must be paradise - but beware of the tides, this can also be a dangerous place to swim or wade.

There are also sand dunes.

As we approached the sand we noticed a fresh flower memorial had been left on the shrubbery. This must have once been someone's special place.

After enjoying the sand we followed the path back to where we started. All in all a very pleasant stroll.

See also:
Photos of Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

Photos of Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

On a previous post, Fistral Beach - One of Newquay's Finest For Surfing, the photos were taken on a wonderful sunshine day. I spent a couple of days in the area this week, when the weather was quite variable, so there appeared to be many faces of Fistral Beach as the photos show.

The day started with full sunshine, other than a few fluffy white clouds - photo above.

The long beach began to fill with surfers and sun lovers.

Gradually though a few more clouds appeared.

Later, the early evening had a slight chill, so not many people about.

A few cliffside flowers did their best to brighten the view.

Later that evening most of the people had gone and the majestic Headland Hotel took center stage.

The next day, the weather wasn't brilliant, a slight drizzle in the air, but the surfers were on their boards.

A few other Newquay Posts:
(1) Newquay, Cornwall - Wonderful Beaches, Stunning Views
(2) Newquay Harbour, Cornwall In 1875 and 2019  
(3) The Hue and Cry Made From A Huers Hut At Newquay, Cornwall

Par Market: More Than Just Being The Largest Market In The South-West

Par Market: okay, markets aren't exactly my favourite places to visit but this one does have some advantages. Firstly it claims to be the 'Largest in the South-West' and it is indoors, should you want to shelter from the rain - oh and it has Public Toilets ...

... and a picnic area if the weather is suitable ...

... and somewhere for the children to run free ...

… and also somewhere to walk the dog.

The market has a Food Hall with lots of fresh products and there is also a choice of places to eat or have a tea or coffee. To quote the market's literature:
"You will find some of the best local produce including meat, fish, fruit & veg, a bakery, cheese, wine, desserts and some quirky food items! 
There are also hot and cold meals served from several food vendors suitable for any time of the day including breakfast, fish and chips, fresh pasties, sandwiches, burgers and more!" 

There is a free car park.

Opening Hours (as at today's date) open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm.

The Food Hall is open Wednesday to Sunday again 9 am to 5 pm.

The Peaceful St.Clement Church by the Tresillian River, Cornwall

St.Clement church, also known as the Church of Moresk, lies in and idyllic, peaceful setting close to the Tresillian River, which I mentioned in my previous post.

It is believed that the church was built in 1249 but was enlarged in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

Visitors have to pass through the Lynch Gate, the smaller building with maroon windows in the above photo. It's interesting that in the mid 1800s the ground floor was used as a pigsty!

The memorial below is in the Lynch Gate in memory of William Callaway, who died in 1784. It reads:

Today of Health and Strength we boast :

Tomorrow brings us down to dust

May we while Time and Strength are given

Believe in Christ & live for Heaven

Moving on inside the church, all is peaceful. The font has an interesting story. It was found lying in a nearby ditch by the local vicar in 1864. It is said to have lain there for over sixty years! It's 14th century and is now used for its correct purpose.

A different angle of the inside of the church, towards the right of the photo is a marble monument to Samuel Thomas from the 1700s when it was described as being, "one of the finest pieces of marble in the West."

A closer look at the marble monument shows two allegorical figures against a pyramid. It is signed by Bacon, 1770.

It's a lovely peaceful church and we felt fortunate to be the only people in the building at the time of our visit.

In the porch is a set of stocks, unfortunately I didn't snap a photo. There is a story that ...

… in 1688 the stocks  were in St Austell. That year, Anne Upcott, the daughter of the  Vicar of St Austell and St Clement, was put in the stocks because  she had joined the Quakers - they were very unpopular at the  time. Anne’s father and brother jeered at her. 

Religion isn't always peaceful.

A Short Walk Along TheTresillian River to St.Clement, Cornwall

We went for a short walk along the tidal Tresillian River, our intention being to visit the lovely village of St. Clement and its fine old church. This is about 3 miles from the city of Truro.

It's a pleasant walk - simply follow the river. The tide was on it's way out. 

As we walked we passed a small lake to our right. All was quiet other than a few local dog walkers.

I'm always fascinated by the old Cornish dry walls. In the example below there are sections of vertical and horizontal stones.

The gate below indicates we are approaching St.Clement, which is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The village backs onto the river.

A few cottages have a prime view overlooking the river ...

… and with their own access to the water.

Turning right into the village the tower of the church of St.Clement comes into view. The old name was the church of Moresk.

Strange to see the red phone box, it seems out of place - though it's reasonably up to date and can be used for e-mails and texts.

There are more old cottages on the approach to the church ...

… plus the Church Cottage with the church tower in the background.

The church was built in the mid-13th century, but more on this in my next post.

Returning to the river there was Rose Cottage.

And now we come to The Old Vicarage dating back to the 1500s - but not as it once was! It's now an upmarket Bed & Breakfast emporium.

We then retraced our steps back to our car. The river had become more mud than water but the birds loved it - a free lunch.

Parking the car:
We had parked at the end of Tresillian village (3 miles east of Truro). On the left there is a big car dealership. After this is a pull-in off the main A390, just before the sign as shown below. There is only room for a maximum of five cars - and that is only if everyone parks neatly. 

After the walk we went into Truro for lunch at the The Cloisters Restaurant - nothing posh but they do a lovely nut roast in a wine sauce (I'm vegetarian). My wife had the roast beef.

Lots to See and Do Near Tintagel Besides The Castle: Cliff Walk, Waterfall, Boscastle Harbour, Bronze Age Carvings, Holy Well & Chapel

Okay, so you have been to the castle at Tintagel, Cornwall - photo above - the question is what to do next without travelling too far.

Here are five of my blog posts with suggestions.

(1) A Walk With Stunning Views at Tintagel, King Arthur Country - 20 Photos.

The 20 photos were snapped while on a quite special circular walk at Tintagel, Cornwall.

Click to see full post and photos

(2) The Magical Mysterious Waterfall at St.Nectan's Kieve

From Trethevey - there is a walk to what is often known as St.Nectan's Waterfall. This is a quite magical and mysterious place to visit. The photo above shows the waterfall.
Click to see full post and photos

(3) Boscastle Cornwall: The 1584 Harbour Wall - 16 Photos

The photo above shows the hazardous entrance to the harbour. 100 years ago this was the only place a harbour could be built on this stretch of Cornwall's intimidating north coast.
Click to see full post and photos

(4) Early Bronze Age Rock Carvings at Rocky Valley

Something a bit different. Two ancient rock face carvings - photo above - are from Rocky Valley, Cornwall quite near to Tintagel.
Click to see full post and photos

(5) The Ancient St.Piran's Holy Well and St.Piran's Church, Trevethy

In the photo above is St. Piran's Holy Well. It's thought to have been used, as such, for several centuries. The present structure of the well was first recorded in 1880.

Click to see full post and photos

P.S. While in Tintagel Village don't forget to see the Old Post Office: