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Lerryn




OS Grid ref:- SX140570

The unspoilt and idyllic Cornish village of Lerryn lies three miles from the ancient and historic town of Lostwithiel and is situated on the banks of the Lerryn Creek, a tributary of the River Fowey.

The creek is tidal and at low tide stepping stones which connect the two sides of the picturesque village are revealed only to disappear again at high tide.

Facilities in the village consist of a post office and store, a bric a brac shop and the village pub, the Ship Inn, which dates back to the sixteenth century and serves excellent meals.

Pronounced "Ler-in" the village's name is deived from the Cornish word for waters, the picturesque stone bridge which crosses the creek dates back to the fifteenth century. Smuggling has long formed part of the village's history and the road name of Brandy Lane still bears testimony to this.

A small cave in Ethy Woods was reputed to lead to a passage way underground to the cellars of Ethy House, but was actually found to have been used by local charcoal burners.

The Ethy Hoard consisting of 1,095 base silver radiates in a coarseware jar was discovered in Ethy Woods. The hoard has been dated to the late third century and is held at the Royal Cornwall Museum at Truro.

The author Kenneth Grahame is reputed have based the famous children's book 'The Wind in the Willows' or 'Tales of the Riverbank' in Lerryn. Ethy Manor which stands on the hillside above the village is said to have been the inspiration for Toad Hall while Ethy Woods may have been the Wild Woods referred to in the book.

Canoes are available for hire on the river. Some excellent walks amidst stunning scenery are to be had in the surrounding woods, wildlife includes deer, heron, kingfisher, egrets and buzzard.

The nearby Church of St. Winnow boasts some of the most spectacular views from any churchyard in Britain. Most of the fabric of the building dates to the fifteenth century, though the oratory of St Winnoc, which originally occupied the site, was constructed in the seventh century. The church is famous for its elaborate bench ends, carved from around the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. A burial plot with Celtic-style headstones for the Vivian family occupies the north-west corner of the churchyard.


A walk from Lerryn

Distance - around 5 miles

*Commencing from the car park by the creek, exit onto the road and turn left at the shop. Continue along this road, cross the bridge and turn turn left onto a track.

*Follow te waymarks along the scenic footpath by Lerryn Creek to the nearby village of St. Winnow, the path descends to a beach and past the interesting old village church, which dates mainly to the fifteenth century.

*Continue to follow the waymarked footpath to the delightful wooded valley of St. Winnow Mill.

*On entering Ethy Woods, cross the stream follow the ascending track and follow the first unmarked footpath to arive at a stile. The route back to the village is clearly waymarked from here.



Cornish Towns and Villages