As I’ve been a frequent visitor to Cornwall for more decades than I care to share (well, fifty if you must know!), always spending as much time as possible exploring the county on foot, I did wonder whether this pocket-sized guide to twenty day-walks would contain any new routes for me to explore – to my delight I’ve discovered that it does! Even some of my much-loved, oft repeated coastal walks, which I’ve usually done in a linear way, now hold the promise of new delights because each of the walks in the book is circular, cutting inland to take in many other points of interest.
I was pleased to see that a circumnavigation of Bryher and Tresco (two of the Scilly Isles) is included as I know what a delightful walk this is. Equally pleasing is the fact that three walks on Bodmin Moor and one in the Tamar Valley are included and, although I know both areas quite well, I’m familiar with only one of the featured walks … so I’m now feeling impatient to get down to Cornwall to tackle the other three!
Each walk is accompanied by a facsimile of an OS map, has excellent step-by-step directions, an indication of how easy/challenging it is, useful as well as interesting information about the area and some beautiful photographs. However, there is a wealth of other information for the walker, including details of the countryside code, safety advice, advice about suitable clothing and footwear, about navigation, including the numbers of the relevant OS 1:25,000 Explorer Series maps, details of en-route refreshment opportunities and information about accommodation to suit all budgets etc. I’m amazed, and impressed, by how just much information has been packed into this handy guide, without making it feel in any way confusing.
For anyone who loves Cornwall, and for all those yet to discover the rich variety of walks this county has to offer, I cannot think of a better guide to take with you on your travels.
With my thanks to Vertebrate Publishing for a free copy in exchange for my review. ( )