Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers

The sight of daffodils and other spring flowers is almost guaranteed. Starting at Calstock quay the walk goes through some of the older streets of Calstock, a legacy of the industrial past, to the railway station and the end of the massive viaduct that dominates almost every view of the village. Then into the Danescombe valley where mining and then flower growing were both important ways of life. A stroll along the historic waterfront and under the viaduct completes the walk.

Park in the main village car park on the quay SX437685 PL18 9QA (or catch the bus from Tavistock). 

1. Walk out of the car park with the river on the left and turn immediately right opposite the mural on the end wall of the village hall into a smaller parking area. Go through the metal gates in the corner and up the road past a row of cottages on the left. Bear right by a pink house, cross Fore Street and continue uphill on Church Street.

2. Near the top turn left into Station Lane, at first between hedges and then alongside a high stone wall. Go down the steps onto the station platform. Walk along to the end and cross the tracks. Bear left out of the station car park, and go down the hill.

3. Cross the road by the bus stop into Higher Kelly, which soon affords good views across the valley to Cotehele House. The tarmac lane ends and becomes a footpath with hedges on both sides, a bamboo thicket and then continues alongside a post and wire fence. At the top, bear left by a misleading waymark to a bridge over the old incline railway. (This incline, built about 1860 and long before the viaduct we see today, connected mines on higher ground with the quay). Ignore the steps and continue to a tarmac lane.

4. Turn sharp left downhill, go under the incline railway and then bear right by a wooden gate. Almost immediately turn sharp right to go under the incline railway yet again. The path is rocky here, so be careful. The path begins to descend gently into the Danescombe Valley before bearing right uphill past an old daffodil packing shed. Go left at a path junction and descend gently to the valley towards the sound of water in the brook.

5. Go sharp left at the bottom with the stream on the right. Pass an old engine house, now a holiday let, and then a couple of cottages with a mine chimney behind on the hillside. Further down is another industrial ruin, an old saw mill, and just beyond this is a path junction opposite a row of cottages.

6. Continue straight on (although if you turn right it is a pleasant walk, up and then down at first, along the river to Cotehele Quay and a short diversion to Cotehele House). The track goes sharp left as it reaches the river by an ornate building, once a hotel. There are good views both up and down the river. Pass large limekilns, go under the bottom of the incline railway and walk towards the viaduct along the historic quayside and back to the parking area (or bus stop).

Tavistock Ramblers walk on most Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. There is a variety of short walks and longer all day hikes to suit all. Go to www.tavistockramblers.org.uk to see the latest programme of walks on offer. You are welcome to join us. If you just want something shorter to start with, try a Ramblers Wellbeing Walk to get active. There will be one near you.

You will also find a series of self-guided walks on the website to download or print. Two books of Tavistock District walks and several leaflets of walks in the area are available in the Tavistock Information Centre.