Take a trip from the heart of the ancient seat of the Duchy of Cornwall to the modern eco attraction of the Eden Project.

Lostwithiel to Bodinnick (8 Miles)

Start your journey by visiting the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, which is just a short distance north of the town of Lostwithiel. Enjoy the splendid selection of quality plants and the beautiful location on a hillside overlooking Restormel Castle. Follow the footpath to visit this Norman castle, situated above the River Fowey. Surrounded by a dry moat, the circular castle resembles an amphitheatre; a wonderful place to explore and take a picnic.

Return to Lostwithiel, and if you have time you may like to wander around the narrow streets of this small town located at the end of the Fowey Estuary. Leave Lostwithiel and take a scenic drive in the direction of Lerryn, a quite village on the estuary. Between Christmas and New Year the village holds the famous annual Seagull Race. Continue to Bodinnick to take the Bodinnick to Fowey Car Ferry which runs regularly throughout the year.

(Alternate route without ferry - Leave Lostwithiel in the direction of Fowey. Take the B3269 for more scenic views of the estuary.)

Fowey to Polkerris (3 miles)

The town of Fowey has narrow streets running down to the quayside. With a long sailing history it is remains an important centre for all sorts of water sports and provides a good base to explore this classic Cornish coastline. Daphne du Maurier lived at nearby Menabilly, an estate on which Mandelay from her classic novel ‘Rebecca’ was based. The annual Daphne du Maurier Festival in May is one of the highlights of the year.

From Fowey take the A3082 sign posted St Austell, turning left after 2 miles down to Polkerris. Originally a fishing village, this tiny hamlet is steeped in history. The small cottages use to house the men of the unpopular Preventative Service, today’s equivalent to customs, who used to try and stop smuggling. The old lifeboat house is now a pub, which is reputably haunted. It is an idyllic sandy cove and a great place to try watersports or just relax on the beach.

Polkerris to The Eden Project (5 Miles)

Leave Polkerris heading towards Par on the A3082. At St Blazey follow the signs for The Eden Project at Bodelva. The Eden Project, with its distinctive biomes, has become one of the best known attractions in Cornwall. Built in a disused china clay mine, the site has been transformed into a rich global garden, helping visitors learn about nature and provides inspiration about the world around us.

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