Henger Hike
Distance: 2.25 miles
Duration: approx 1hr
| The chapel provides the ideal starting point for this circular walk. Completed in 1869 and located at the bottom of the appropriately named Chapel Lane, this was the third meeting place for Methodists in the village. John Wesley first preached here in 1746 and established the first chapel in the area known as Church Town. The current building is sturdily constructed from ashlar slate stone, freestone with granite quoins and still attracts a large congregation every Sunday; worth lingering to hear the singing. The circular walk begins by turning uphill into Henger Lane and progressing up until you reach an impressive granite stile in the right hand hedge. |
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This stile has a built in granite cattle grid which offers a clue to the residents of the fields ahead. For generations this farming family have produced prize winning bulls but they appear docile enough. The route goes diagonally in an easterly direction through four narrow strip fields whose formation dates back to mediaeval times. On the left you pass a beautifully detailed working barn, one of the few still left unconverted in the area. Having safely crossed the fields, the final stile emerges onto the grass verge of the main road to Camelford and Bodmin. Walk a short distance to the right and carefully cross over the road near the semi detached house where the path continues as a track |
The skyline behind you to the south west is dominated by
the “Cornish Alps”. Prior to
the Aberfan slippage accident the clay industry produced conical spoil heaps
which have resembled the Alps. They have now been turned into a series of
stepped levels and are sprayed with fertiliser and grass seed in attempt to
blend them into the countryside. Keep heading up the track in an easterly
direction into the expansive arable fields of Tregarrick Farm. Within a short
distance you enter another wheat field with a stile in the opposite hedge. The
path runs directly across the field to the stile. As you cross the stile into
the rough farm track note the marvelous complex of farm buildings at Tregarrick
Farm.
The path now heads over a hedge and drops down hill to beautiful copsed valley divided into two fields. The lower field may have two elegant, friendly horses within it which like to say hello to walkers, so keep your children on a tight rein. The path continues to the bottom and up the next hill in an easterly direction.
As you gradually climb and pass through the farm gate you catch distant glimpses to the left of Henger Manor and Estate. For many years this was the way home of the Onslow family, but has now become an excellent holiday village and country club. Amongst it’s facilities it boasts a restaurant, tennis courts, swimming pool, golf course, fishing and Swedish style “A” frame chalets. The path carries on the following hedge to the gate, whereupon you join a quiet country lane.
Turn left and head north down this leafy lane and within half a mile you reach the rear entrance of the Henger Manor Estate. As you pass there are some lovely views through the gateways of this tranquil valley and estate grounds. turning left into Henger provides an ideal refreshment break and a shortcut back to St. Tudy. This section is a permitted path only.
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Proceed into Henger Manor grounds along the road towards the large distant building ahead, passing the “A” frame chalets on your right. The large building contains a superb 25m swimming pool with a traditional pub on the top floor providing excellent bar meals. Should you want something more substantial, the main 17th Century House has a quality restaurant.
To return to St. Tudy walk toward the swimming pool and turn left passing the tennis courts on the right. Down past the golf course on the left, on the road with many sleeping policeman, through the no-entry signs. The tree-lined drive emerges onto the main road (B3226) again at the crossroads by the Garden Nurseries. Cross over with care, heading straight across. This brings you into Henger Lane where the Chapel is situated at the bottom of the hill.
Henger Hike
