Duloe Manor

Mount Edgecumbe walking and hiking route

The country park of Mount Edgecumbe, created in 1971, owned and managed jointly by the Cornwall County and Plymouth City Councils, has a wonderful strategic situation on a high peninsula overlooking Plymouth Sound. The house (damaged in World War II and substantially renovated) was built for Sir Richard Edgecumbe between 1547 and 1553, with grounds, now the Country Park, extending to more than 800 acres. Most of the extensive area is classic created parkland, with specimen trees, buildings including follies and a herd of fallow deer.

Close to the house is the Barrow Centre, created from outbuildings, with plant sales and the Stables Café, and the 18th century Earl's Garden. More distant from the house, close to Cremyll and its ferry, is the array of formal gardens with the Orangery tea room. The general freedom to walk in the park, with plenty of attractive routes (and with signposts in the vicinity of the house), means that even if the suggested route is lost, no harm is done and a return to the car park should not be difficult. The Park is open throughout the year but the house, Barrow Centre and Orangery are all seasonal.

For a walk longer (approximately four miles) than the basic route set out below, from the car park head straight for the sea (not bearing left as suggested) soon reaching the Coast Path. Turn left to follow the Path, close to the sea, below the Mount Edgecumbe Country Park, as far as Cremyll. After visiting the formal gardens, Orangery and/or the Cremyll facilities, head back up the roadway which passes close to the house (as from point 4 of the basic walk).

Walk Instructions

Start Point

Car park with information board behind Maker Church, grid reference 447520, accessed from B3247, the road leading to Cremyll and a ferry to Plymouth.

Leave the car park by the gate at the right corner, bearing half left (south-east) over the grass; there are vague tracks on the ground. Bear a little further left (east) as the track becomes more apparent, staying level, above the wooded valleys which descend to the sea on the right. There is a seat on the left and a ruined building 80m. to the left before reaching the corner of a wood (Grotton Plantation). At the end of the wood is a redundant stile. From the stile bear a little to the right, soon meeting a well-defined track along the top edge of woodland.

1) Turn left to follow this track, to reach a well-placed seat with great views over Plymouth Sound. Closer at hand is a ruined building by the edge of the water and a small island. Go quite steeply down a minor path, towards the ruin, to join a major path in 100m. This is Earl's Drive.

2) Turn left, pass a post with waymark on the back and go through a gate into mature, deciduous, woodland, rich in horse-chestnut, holly and hydrangea. Pass a signpost at a junction, heading for 'house and gardens'. Pass a recently planted section of the National Camellia Collection – European. At the next junction bear right – signpost 'house and gardens', soon on a surfaced roadway.

3) Reach the house access road by a multi signpost. Access to the house is through a little gate on the right. For the orangery and formal gardens turn right to follow the roadway downhill. Pass another access to the house on the right and continue the descent through parkland, heading for 'Cremyll Shop, Orangery and formal gardens'. At a fork with another multi signpost bear left to continue to the Orangery and the formal gardens.

4) Return by the same route past Mt. Edgecumbe House to reach point 3. Bear right, still rising. After a junction, the road levels and passes a main car park on the right.

5) Opposite the car park entrance fork left to leave the road, rising through woodland on a good track. At the top edge of the wood, with Maker Church now in view, go through a gate and follow a marked track over the grass leading directly to the car park, entered through/over a gate/stile.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.