Attractions and Places To See around Cornwood - Top 20

Cornwood offers a variety of natural features, many within or on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park. You can visit Foggintor Quarry Lake (North Side), a deep, clear lake popular for swimming. Dendles Wood National Nature Reserve, located in Cornwood, is an ancient woodland known for its biodiversity, including oak and beech trees, and rare wildlife. Combe Tor, an impressive rock formation, is also found within Dendles Wood.

Yes, Cornwood and its surroundings are rich in history. The parish church of St Michael and All Angels, dedicated in 1336, features 15th-century perpendicular style architecture. The area is also home to historic manors like Delamore, mentioned in the Domesday Book, which hosts an annual Arts and Sculpture Exhibition. You can also explore Shaugh Tunnel, a 374-yard tunnel built by Brunel in the mid-1850s, now part of a cycle route.

For families, the Plym Valley Trail offers a scenic, traffic-free route suitable for cycling and walking. The Plym Valley Railway, a short distance away in Plymouth, provides an outdoor railway and transport experience. Nearby, Dartmoor Zoological Park in Plymouth is another attraction for all ages, and Saltram House and Gardens offers both indoor and outdoor experiences.

Cornwood is an excellent base for walking and cycling. The Plym Valley Trail is a popular traffic-free route through National Trust woodland, part of the Devon Coast to Coast cycle ride. Another option is the Princetown Railway Track, an old railway route offering gentle gradients and fantastic moorland views. For more specific routes, you can explore various options for easy hikes, running trails, and MTB trails around Cornwood.

Yes, the Plym Valley Trail is largely traffic-free and suitable for various abilities, running through woodland along the River Plym. The Princetown Railway Track also offers a gradual incline, making it accessible for many walkers and cyclists. For more options, consider the easy hikes around Cornwood, which include routes like the Ivybridge Longtimber Woods trail.

For more challenging outdoor activities, the Dartmoor National Park area surrounding Cornwood provides ample opportunities. Mountain biking enthusiasts can find trails such as those in Cann Woods (Plymbridge Woods). For hikers, routes like the Red Lake and River Erme loop from Ivybridge offer a more difficult experience. You can find more details on MTB trails and running trails in the area.

Yes, Foggintor Quarry Lake (North Side), located within Dartmoor National Park, is a popular spot for wild swimming. Its deep, clear, and cold water makes it an invigorating choice on a warm day.

Yes, access to Dendles Wood National Nature Reserve, a sensitive ecosystem within Dartmoor National Park, generally requires a permit to protect its unique biodiversity. It is advisable to check with local authorities or the reserve management for current permit requirements before planning a visit.

The best time to visit Cornwood largely depends on your interests. May is particularly vibrant due to the annual Arts and Sculpture Exhibition at Delamore. The summer months are ideal for enjoying outdoor activities like cycling on the Plym Valley Trail, where a peregrine falcon viewing platform is often manned. For walking and exploring natural sites, spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and beautiful scenery.

Many of the outdoor trails around Cornwood, particularly those within Dartmoor National Park, are dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept under control, especially near livestock. The Plym Valley Trail and Princetown Railway Track are popular choices for walks with dogs. Always check specific attraction rules regarding pets before visiting.

While Cornwood itself is a village, many surrounding attractions are accessible. Public transport options may include local bus services connecting Cornwood to larger towns like Plymouth, from where further connections to specific attractions might be available. For destinations like the Plym Valley Trail, access points can be reached from Plymouth city centre. It's recommended to check local bus schedules and routes for the most up-to-date information.

Parking is generally available at key access points for popular trails and attractions. For instance, the Plym Valley Trail can be accessed from Plym Bridge, where a car park and visitor centre are located. For other attractions within Dartmoor National Park, designated car parks are usually available. Always look for specific parking information for each attraction you plan to visit.

Visitors to Cornwood particularly enjoy the blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The scenic trails, like the Plym Valley Trail, are appreciated for their beauty and accessibility. The historical railway structures, such as Shaugh Tunnel and the Princetown Railway Track, offer unique experiences. The deep, clear waters of Foggintor Quarry Lake are a highlight for wild swimming. The komoot community has collectively given the attractions around Cornwood 275 upvotes, indicating high visitor satisfaction.