Time for some much needed fresh air! A crisp wintery walk is the perfect antidote to any January blues, so head out on one of these lovely routes, all with stunning views and pitstops – frost not guaranteed, but the Cornish weather is.

Mylor / Flushing (6.5km circular)

This walk is the reason that Harbour House owners Tamara Costin and William Speed decided to settle in the village and open the pub. Flushing is a 10-minute ferry ride from Falmouth and yet is totally a world of its own.

Start at the quay and take Trefusis Road. The large houses seaward side look out over Falmouth and the docks. Walk around the coastal road and enter Kilnquay woods, which is on the estate of the former manor, Trefusis house (the original seat of the Barons Clinton). The path leads onto open land around Trefusis point and there is access to the beach where copper was mined for a short while.

Carry on around Penarrow point stopping at the breaks in the hedges to clamber amongst the rocks. The first buildings reached are Restronguet Yacht Club followed closely by Mylor Yacht Club and the main quay. The church is well worth a visit. Interestingly according to records there were two St Mylor’s, both associated with the church. The church’s history goes back to AD 411 with a Norman church built in the 12^th Century.

You then come to Mylor Churchtown. Follow the main road around the bend and up the incline for about 100 metres. There is a footpath sign to the right that takes one along a gravelled road opposite the entrance to the church.

This leads out to a wonderful view of Mylor Creek with Mylor Bridge at the end. Walk along the road with houses either side until you get to a small creek of Trelew. There is a signpost pointing left. Take this path and bear to the left following a path into the woods. This leads to the right and ascends half a mile up to the main road. Trelew Farm was part of the Trefusis estate the house being at least 400 years old. An abattoir was on site and animals were slaughtered and taken on board ships anchored at the creek, which travelled around the world.

Turn left on the main road to the crossroads and head straight over up what seems like a private road. After 100 metres at a small building there will be a signpost pointing right. Head into the field around to the left and over the stile to the other side of the hedge. Head right down hill and around the fields ending up to the right of the row of houses at the edge of the field. This leads down the side of the houses into Orchard Vale and Kersey Road and on into Flushing where you can step into Harbour House for a fortifying pint, cocktail, lunch, dinner or all-day bar snacks.

Rame Head / Cawsand (8km circular)

A couple of options for starting this walk depending on whether you want your pint mid- or end-walk. The pubs are in Kingsand / Cawsand (The Cross Keys is recently reopened and interior designed by Kate from The Stores, and does brilliant food. The Devonport Inn is a ‘proper’ low-ceilinged pub that the locals love, with jolly bunting and a prime location by one of the popular pebble beaches. The Rising Sun is a more traditional, good proper drinking spot up towards the top of the village, and The Halfway House marks the point between the two villages). Want to finish with the pint? Either park in the village and take the coastal route out to Penlee Point and then onto Rame Head, or, inland and head to Rame Head first – or, start by parking at Rame Head itself, and then walk along the coast path to Cawsand and back.

Wheal Coates and St Agnes (8km circular)

This coastal route has a lot of ups and downs but takes in far reaching views, the surfing beach at St Agnes and passes the Peterville Inn where you can book your lunch before a rather steep climb back up to the car. Parking is National Trust (free for members) – head through the gorse to the coast path and then turn right following the path along to Trevaunance Cove – brave a wintery dip if you dare – and then up to the village itself.

Crantock, Polly Joke and Cubert (5km circular)

Another coastal stomp where if you get lucky you may see the seals. Start at Crantock (pit stop The Bowgie or C-Bay Café) and follow the coast path round the headland, passing the beach at Polly Joke where little ones can splash in the stream / play on the sand, then head up the coast path the other side and round. You may want to modify with little ones who aren’t good near steep edges, and beware, it gets very muddy. Dogs on leads!

Lost Gardens of Heligan (various)

Lost Gardens of Heligan Mud Maid Pentewan Cornwall UK

One for the whole fam – there is a lovely shorter loop which does well for wheels, or, if you’ve older kids, take the full loop down through the animals, right down through the woods to the jungle, round the boardwalk and back up to the woodland walk to see the Mud Maid. Drinks and food at the various Heligan cafés. Signs of spring start to emerge in late December and through January in Cornwall, the woods at Heligan are a good place to keep an eye out for early daffs.

Calstock and Cotehele loop (5km circular)

Don’t just walk around the garden at Cotehele, add in this lovely 5km circular loop as well, parking in Calstock with it’s striking viaduct and views of the Tamar. Boots advised!

Zennor loop (6km)

Salty air and fantastic views of the ocean, with half of the route following a coastal path (it skims the cliff edge at times so don’t forget a lead if your dog is going walkies too), with pubs at Zennor (The Tinner’s Arms) at the start / finish and Treen (The Gurnard’s Head). Regularly cited as a winter favourite, there are little coves for a wintery dip with no-one to watch but the birds.

Marazion to Penzance (8km circular)

Start in Marazion where you’ll find the Marazion Hotel and Cutty Sark restaurant as well as several pubs. Head west along the Coast Path. The largely flat path is suitable for wheels of all types. You’ll pass the Bird Reserve at Marazion and then Long Rock beach before reaching Penzance. You can then retrace your steps back to Marazion, walking on the beach if the tide is out – heading over the causeway to the island is another option. Or, start in Penzance, where there’s also plenty of fun places for a pint once you’ve finished including The Admiral Benbow.

Portscatho and Porthcurnick (3.5km circular)

Another coastal tramp, this time some rather easier coast path taking in the beach at Porthcurnick (where at weekends you’ll find the Hidden Hut for excellent takeaway) and the pretty harbour of Portscatho. Various options round here to make it easier, or longer, with a few swimming spots too – if you fancy making it all day you can extend how far along the coast you walk. Good for kids and dogs, and if you stop at Porthcurno and walk back, even shorter! If café food doesn’t meet your pit stop expectations, head back into Portscatho and up the hill to The Standard in Gerrans where you’ll find pints and food including Sunday Roasts.

Harlyn via Mother Iveys and Boobys (6.5km circular)

Book lunch at The PIG at Harlyn Bay and before or after try this 6km coastal trot taking in several beaches and gorgeous views out over the bay. Boots advised, dogs on leads etc, and keep an eye out on the paths over the golf-course. The PIG also has a great bar where you can pop in for a drink if you don’t fancy a sit-down meal.

Cardinham Woods (1.5 miles circular)

The ancient woodlands of Cardinham Woods are just the place for trying out new bikes. The Lady Vale trail is suitable for all types of wheels (except, we’d warn, kids scooters) and if you choose the anti-clockwise direction, starting by the toilets in the carpark, you’ll end on a downwards slope by Muddy award winning Woods Café, perfect for a cup of tea and slice of cake.

View from showery tor over to Broqn Willy on Bodmin Moor Cornwall

Roughtor and Brown Willy (10Km circular)

A glorious and rewarding stomp that takes in the highest points in Cornwall and looks out to both coasts, plus, time your descent right at about 45 minutes before sunset and with any luck you’ll be able to watch one of Cornwall’s starling murmurations dancing and swooping in the field behind the car park. The moor is not for the feint-hearted though – wear boots, pack warm and waterproof clothes and keep your eye on the map. No obvious boozer on this walk though, you’ll find post-walk pints at the Blisland Inn, a short drive away.

Gorgeous winter walks (and pubs to refuel in afterwards)

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