Bere Alston to Bere Ferrers via Tamar Discovery Trail

Having done the first part of the the Tamar Discovery Trail a couple of days ago we thought we would attempt another section today.  We took the train to Bere Alston, which is always a very pleasant journey.  When we came out of the station it was not clear which way to go as there were footpath signs in 3 directions.  Looking at our map we realised we needed to walk towards the village and headed in that direction.  We knew we had to turn off the road in the village but we did not see the sign and had to turn around and retrace our steps.  The sign was attached to a road name sign.  From our map it looked as if we had to turn off this road after a short while but there was no signs, however as there had been no signs on this trail elsewhere we followed our instinct but yet again we were wrong!  We walked around an residential estate and came out where we started. We asked someone we passed the direction and so were confident as we continued walking down the road.  This was a good track going gradually downhill that led us to Lockridge Farm.

As soon as we passed the farm the path became became small and was overrun with grass (which was wet and slippery) and nettles.  Fortunately the path did improve and we went on for a while until we came to a very steep hill.  This was difficult to walk up as the path consisted of  loose earth.  At the top there was a stile but no sign telling us which way to go.  We started climbing up the field and came to a stile marked a public footpath, but it did not have the apple sign for the Tamar Discovery Trail and we thought we needed to follow the direction of the river so we went along the other side of the field. At least the views from this field were good.

The end of the field as a dead end so we retraced our steps and went to the stile at the top of the field.  As we followed the direction of the footpath sign we came to another stile and this time it had an apple sign on it!  Why wasn't the previous stile marked?  We continined along the path and discovered that approximately every other stile was marked.  This was OK as the the path went straight on until we came to the road at Weir Quay.  This was the best  stretch of walk - a good path (a quiet road) and pleasant views of the river.  Although it was unfortunate the tide was out so there was a lot of mud.

We continued along the road, first uphill and then down, until there was a path off that went along a stream.  Fortunately we saw the steps leading to this as the signpost marking it had fallen over.  We continued along this path until the entrance to Thorn Point.  We attempted to go down to the point but it was too marshy to walk through.  There was no Discovery Trail sign at this  point but followed the map hoping we were going right.  Eventually we found another sign.  We then walked into Bere Ferrers and we glad to stop at the Old Plough for a drink.

We started to walk on to Lopwell, but with all the diversions if we had gone all the way we would have missed the next train and we did not want to wait a further 2 hours, so after a while we turned around and made our way back to the Station and the train back to Plymouth.

Of all the walks we have done, this must be the worse as far as poor marking and the condition of the path in places.  From the map it looked as if there would have been good views of the river for a lot of the way, but this was also disappointing.  We definitely won't be doing this walk again!

Tamerton Foliot to Lopwell - the Tamar Discovery Trail

Having driven quite a long way yesterday we wanted to do a walk near to Plymouth.  We therefore thought we would do the first section of the Tamar Valley Discovery Walk that starts on the outskirts of Plymouth in Tamerton Foliot.  We had a copy of the Discovery Trail booklet which gave a map of the trail and a brief description of the route, but basically told us to follow the apple signs.  We were sure we could do that!

We drove to Tamerton Foliot and found a parking area on Horsham Lane and followed the Lane until we came to a well marked footpath.  This was like entering a green tunnel as the trees in the hedges on both sides had met at the top.  To begin with it was a gentle slope down, but at the bottom of the hill it was a bit steeper.  At the bottom of the hill there was a large pool of water that nearly made the path impassable.  I do not think this would be a good walk to do if there had been wet weather recently.

We knew we had to turn left at some point but did not see any apple signs so continued to walk on.  When we reached a T junction we went left and eventually we reached Blaxton Wood and found an apple sign.  We realised we had missed a left turn and come a long way around.  Walking through the wood was pleasant but it was low tide and the creek was just mud.  Soon we came to a viewpoint where we could see up and down the River Tavy, but again as it was low tide it was not very pretty.

There was some heather growing in the wood, but it was straggly and not very brightly coloured.

When we came out of the woods we followed the road upriver.  After a while we were signposted off to the river bank but the path looked very overgrown so we chose to stay on the road.  Soon we reached Lopwell Dam where we were able to have refreshments in the lovely cafe.

As we retraced our steps we could see the tide rushing up the river, but the water still did not fill the channel.

When we came to the end of Blaxton Wood we saw the apple sign directing us right (on the outward journey we had come from the left).  We followed these signs and cut 15 minutes off our walk back.

The walk down to Blaxton Wood from Tamerton Foliot was not worth repeating but I would  walk from Lopwell to Blaxton Wood another time, when the tide was in and the spring flowers out.