Our town of Lostwithiel has a long history, shaped by its location in the Fowey valley. This trail helps you to learn more about both its history and its environment.
There are few signs of prehistoric settlement or activity, other than a neolithic settlement at Helman Tor. There are remains of a substantial bronze age settlement at Boconnoc, and an iron age hillfort at Castle Dore, between Lostwithiel and Fowey, but the only signs of any significant settlement in the area of present-day Lostwithiel are the earthworks of a small Roman fortlet in the north of the parish. Though there is no evidence of any substantial Roman presence, or of Romanisation, in the area, some artefacts and remains in the Roman style and the site of a ford have been found. It is likely that the tin trade and agriculture continued to provide a living through the early medieval period for a small population working on the Bodarder manor, based on what is now known as Bodardle Farm on Bodmin Hill.
Restormel Castle, named because of its position on a ridge on a commanding hill, is close to the site of the Roman fortlet and was built by the Cardinan family, Earls of Cornwall, in the 11th Century. The castle was intended to protect a nearby wooden bridge, known as Baldwin’s Bridge, close to the present-day Restormel Manor House. This bridge connected a road to the upper reaches of the Fowey on Bodmin Moor with a road to Respryn and Bodmin Priory. Tin was brought from the moor to a small riverside quay by the bridge. By the 11th Century, a build-up of silt had limited navigation this far up river, and the Earl moved the quay to the far end of the woods to become a new town built on a grid plan. Its name of Lostwithiel first appeared in a Royal Charter of 1189.
This Charter, granted by King Richard I ‘the Lionheart’, recognised the freedom of the town dwellers and their right to elect a Provost or Mayor. A new crossing point over the Fowey was constructed in the mid-thirteenth century and construction of the parish church of St. Bartholomew began in the late thirteenth century.
We suggest a virtual route around the town, starting at the medieval bridge. You can easily follow this route on the map, but you can follow the trail in any order that you like and from any convenient starting point. Clicking on the map locations or the highlighted place names below will take you to further information about each location. These pages of further information include a precise map reference, using the OS National Grid and the What3Words app.
Our suggested route starts at the (1) Medieval Bridge and then moves to the railway station to see the (2) Signal Box and (3) Brunel’s Carriage Works. Crossing back over the bridge, turn left into (4) The Parade and its gardens. Moving into the heart of the town is the (5) The Duchy Palace and, after turning into Fore Street, is (6) St. Batholomew’s Church and the (7) Guildhall. Opposite the Guildhall, the route follows Malthouse Lane into North Street, where the (8) Old Malthouse can be found on the left. Continue along North Street to enter the gates on the left into (9) Taprell House. Returning along North Street, there is, opposite Monmouth Lane, an entrance to the old (10) Cattle Market and, beyond that the (11) King George V Field. Leaving the car park, cross to the (12) Royal Talbot and then proceed along Restormel Road to (13) Second Island Park. Restormel Road leads to the (14) Royal Iron Mine and the (15) Deer Park. Turning left at the end of the road, the trail arrives at (16) Restormel Castle. There is a cross-country route past the site of the Roman fortlet and the fenced-off entrance to the iron mine, but most people will wish to retrace their steps to the town and then follow Fore Street until a right turn into Quay Street and the (17) Town Quays. From there, the trail passes the (18) Lime Kilns and leads under the railway to enter (19) Coulson Park. A riverside walk leads to (20) Shirehall Moor, where the trail ends.