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Looking up the track to the Gribbin Daymark
Looking up the track to the Gribbin Daymark | © John Pegg
Cornwall

Gribbin Head walk at Fowey Estuary

Famed for its association with the author Daphne du Maurier and the setting of many of her books, the countryside to the west of Fowey offers a variety of landscapes and features of historical significance. This circular coastal walk gives you a taste of it all, taking you to beaches, coves, woodland and grassland rich in wildflowers.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

National Trust car park at Coombe Farm, grid ref SX110512

Step 1

Leave the National Trust car park and turn right down a wide track waymarked towards Readymoney. Continue through the field gate at the end of the track following the path that bears left and crosses two grass fields. At the opening of the second field, keep to the boundary on the left-hand side, towards the metal kissing gate on the edge of Covington woods. Pass through the gate along the edge of the woodland and down the hill. At the bottom of the steps turn right and follow the path towards Fowey.

Step 2

At the path junction take the left spur to head towards Readymoney cove or take the right spur to continue up towards St Catherine's Castle. Heading up towards the castle you can take a short diversion on your right up to the Rashleigh Mausoleum. Return to the main path for the castle and to continue the walk.

Step 3

During the summer, Readymoney Cove can be reached by a steep path and steps next to the path for the castle.

Step 4

Follow the footpath around the edge of the point to rejoin the South West Coast Path and onto Allday’s field.

Step 5

Continue along the coast path through Coombe Haven (also know as Coombe Hawne) and on to Polridmouth.

Step 6

Cross the stream at Polridmouth and follow the path around the cove. Turn left and follow the path over the boardwalks and up the hill to the Gribbin daymark.

Step 7

From the daymark, follow the path back down to Polridmouth. Cross the stream and take the left-hand path up to Coombe Farm. Follow the path around the edge of the fields, leading to a lane. This lane will take you back to Coombe car park.

End point

National Trust car park at Coombe Farm, grid ref SX110512

Trail map

Map of Gribbin Walk, Fowey
Map of Gribbin Walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Polruan, Cornwall, PL23 1NP

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