Local area
Lostwithiel
The old town of Lostwithiel, once the administrative capital of Cornwall, is a short drive away. Here you'll find the remains of 13th Century buildings and Restormal Castle, dating from 1100, a splendid spot to relax and take in the views.
Lostwithiel is known as the antiques capital of Cornwall and many shops and antique fairs can be found here. The town is also a great place to enjoy river walks and tasty Cornish produce.
Golant
The small fishing village of Golant is an enjoyable stroll from the Mill. You can either take the route across the downs - which falls steeply to the river below - or along the ancient route of the Saints - known as the Saints Way footpath - which runs from Fowey to Padstow and passes the driveway to the Mill.
Cornwall is known as the 'Land of the Saints'. Among the saints is St Sampson, who legend has it came to the county from Ireland at the time of King Arthur. He arrived at Padstow, crossing Cornwall by the trade route to the South Coast.
He settled at Golant and built a shelter close to the well, which is still by the church door today. He founded a monastery and it was here that Iseault, a character in the story of Tristan and Iseul, came to mass.
Golant was once covered in pear, plum and apple trees. There were six cider presses in the village. Here the Fowey River holds a host of river craft and is a hive of activity in the summer months.
While during the winter, you can sip coffee and enjoy breathtaking views over the river and timbered slopes at the local hotel or tuck into delicious meals in the river view restaurant while watching sea birds dive and fish in the estuary waters. There is also a local pub, the Fisherman's arms, which has a terrace almost reaching the water's edge.
Castle D'Or
Castle D'Or is located five minutes drive from the Mill. The first hill fort at Castle D'Or dates from as early as the second Century BC, when it was a fortified village and the inhabitants traded in tin. The hill castles of the early centuries were circular earthworks, with deep trenches and wooden huts where occupants ate and slept.
The site was excavated in 1936 and many relics are on display in Truro Museum. The Giant's Hedge, a great earth bank which ran from Looe to Lerryn, is still visible today. This was the original Lancien, fortress of King Mark of Cornwall.
Although you can see just raised earth and a ditch, if you stand on the banks of Castle D'Or - where King Mark's Great Hall once stood - the feeling of history and legend is overwhelming. |
Working with Nature
