The official circular route listed on the Southwest Coast Path website, is just under 5 miles. This means returning back to the car park, shortly after passing Warren Cottage. We extended it to 7.8 miles by staying on the Carriage Drive, as far as Revelstoke car park near Stoke House. From there we returned back to the Warren car park, via the quiet country lane.
We had a problem with the gate at the Revelstoke car park, but were able to get the scooters through with difficulty. We had a lovely sunny day with a cold breeze, apart from the last 20 minutes with light rain. Due to the problem with the gate, I would advise you do the shorter route as listed on the Southwest Coast Path website.There is a link to the SWCPA website in my website’s information section.
Day 1 : National Trust Penrose Estate.
Penrose House and the gardens immediately adjoining the house are private, with the National Trust managing the rest of the estate which is open to the public.
We traveled through the grounds, stopping at the stables for refreshments. We went as far as the gate lodge over looking Loe Bar, which is a strip of sand which separates a fresh water lake and the sea.
On the way back the the owner of the house, invited us into his private garden for a group photo next to the house.
Day 2 : Mining Heritage at Botallack
Todays ramble was on a strip of coastline, owned by the National Trust. between Cape Cornwall and Pendeen Lighthouse. Our starting point was the National Trust car park at Botallack. We headed south to a Quarry which gave lovely views of Cape Cornwall and the Longship rocks off Lands End.
We made our way back to Botallack for lunch, enjoying a lovely Cornish Pasty which was made locally, and fresh out of the oven.
After lunch we made our way to Levent Mine, where we were given an unexpected brief history of mining in the area, by a National Trust member of staff. The tracks we were using all date back to the mining era, with remains of buildings every where you look.
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Location : Sampford Peverell
Starting Point : Village Car Park
OS Grid Reference : ST032144
Distance : 7.4 Miles
Route Surface : Gravel
Category : Level 2
This is a nice level walk on gravel, with a bit of extra care needed going under the bridges. This one is also graded Level 2 purely on the distance, as the surface is fine for most scooters and power chairs.
If you are lucky you will see the Kingfishers, near the Tiverton Golf Course.
There are a series of posters either side of every bridge, encouraging cyclists to dismount and walk under the bridges.
]]>Location : Sourton
Starting Point : Pump & Pedal Cycle shop / Cafe
OS Grid Reference : SX546917
Distance : 4.5 Miles
Route Surface : Asphalt
Category : Level 1
Join the Granite Way heading towards Okehampton, for the short walk to Meldon Viaduct. On this occasion we turned around, just beyond the Meldon Station.
On our return we left the Granite Way, to take the lane to Meldon Reservoir. There is a bit of a hill between the Granite Way and the Reservoir, but should be within the capabilities of most scooters.
It is level access from the road onto the Dam, but not so easy at the far end of the dam. It is a case of retacing the lane back to the Granite Way, then back to the starting point.
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At Merrivale there are several points of historical interest, but there is a leat running through the middle which we need to cross to enjoy them all. There was a narrow stone across the leat, not wide enough for the scooters. In the past we would have to carry a portable ramp, which we put alongside the stone. While we never had any mishaps on the couple of visits, it was not very safe. So by the DNPA arranging 2 crossing points, we can now do a nice circular walk, to include all the historical points of interest.
After we had finished the filming for the BBC, the WAGS group took advantage of the lovely weather. Not seen on Dartmoor very often, as both of our previous visits, were wet and misty.
Gill and I made our usual visit to the Twisted Oak, on our way home. Which was a pleasant end to a lovely day.
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