Lostwithiel And Luxulyan

History alive in a beautiful setting

The perfect holiday in this most beautiful part of Cornwall balances coast and beach with exploration of an historic interior.

Follow the Fowey up to the point where estuary becomes river, and you will discover Lostwithiel, Cornwall s ancient capital, which gained its royal charter in 1189 and sits astride ancient ley lines of trade and pilgrimage. Anglers fish the pools for salmon, trout and sea-trout as they have done for centuries. The Saints Way, born before Christ, wanders close by. Tin from the mines around Bodmin and Lostwithiel was smelted and coigned in the Duchy Palace till Elizabethan times, before being loaded and drifted downstream. Charles 1 defeated Cromwell s army nearby in 1644. But there had been an earlier, still more warlike visitor and a more permanent calling-card.

Restormel Castle boasts the Black Prince the original Duke of Cornwall as its most famous resident. However the castle was built almost 300 years before, from distinctive local stone, and remains today a near-perfect example of a Norman shell-keep on a circular motte . Its walls are nine feet thick and rise to thirty feet, making it a natural sound stage as well as the perfect backdrop for concerts and drama. From the ramparts, the views of the surrounding countryside are superb.

West of Lostwithiel set amidst scenery of outstanding natural beauty, is the lovely village of Luxulyan, sandwiched between the Devil s Stone and the 15th century church of St Cyriacus.

Things to see and do:

Lostwithiel s Duchy Palace (Stannary Hall)
The Town Museum And Former Jail
Lostwithiel Carnival Week - July
13th Century St Bartholomew s Church
St Cyriacus Church And The Devil s Stone, Luxulyan
Restormel Castle
Sport And Drama At The Lostwithiel Community
Centre Fish For Salmon, Trout And Sea-Trout On The River Fowey (Licences And Permit Required)
Explore The Civil War Battle Site

 Walk The Saints Way To Padstow Or Fowey
Visit Lanhydrock House, Park And Nature Trail
Play Golf And Tennis At Lostwithiel Golf And Country Club (Day Membership Available)
Discover The Beautiful Countryside And Lovely River Walks