January 11th 2010

Happy new year from Encounter Cornwall - The River may be almost frozen and the kingfishers are nowhere to be seen but we hope this update will encourage you to think of warmer times and inspiring paddling on this secret and special estuary.

Guided Trips on the Fowey 

New Route for 2010 - Northern River Lerryn to Lostwithiel

Join us on a new ½ day afternoon route for 2010 running from Lerryn upriver to Lostwithiel. Taking in all the best bits of the upper estuary this run gives a huge variety in wildlife and river scenery on the wilder and more remote sections of water. Taking in Wind in the Willows Creek, The Tidal Pool Boathouse, Woodgate Pill and further north the Viaduct Creek at Milltown  (otter habitat if we are very quiet and very lucky). We then enter a protected area of unique Salt Marsh in a long series of narrow S bends very different to any other parts of the estuary as the river sweeps towards the ancient Stannary Town of Lostwithiel. We will return on the other side of the river to Lerryn with a stop at the tiny and stunning hamlet of St Winnows  and the chance for some outdoor refreshments at “Angies” above the church.  For those that want to mix the canoeing with some walking you can opt to finish at this point and wander the glorious 3 miles through the National Trust Creekside Woods on the footpath back to Lerryn and the Ship Inn ! For everyone else you re-enter the Lerryn creek on the water for a last pull back to the village.

This run will be a very full four hours and as such will involve some paddling against as well as with the tide when entering creeks and inlets along the river. It’s suitable then for those with some previous experience of canoeing or kayaking though as you are accompanied by experienced guides its more important that you are fit and active and keen to cover some distance on your paddle.

Taster, 3hr and Fowey ½ day Trips

Prices for our other 2 hour taster, 3 hour river and ½ day Fowey trips have all been frozen (like the river !)  for the second year running and as ever we will be running a range of these trips every day throughout the season.

Full Day Canoeing Trips - 

We will continue to offer full day trips to small groups or where we can get a small group together,  heading below Penmarlam through the historical port of Fowey and down to the sea. Dates and prices for these will depend on numbers but do let the office know if you are interested and we can keep you updated.  

Private Groups / Birthday Parties / Work Away Days - 

Maximum numbers have been increased under our license this year for larger parties. We can operate these to suit your group, building in lunch en route, some walking sections or just as much time as you can out on the river anything from 2 hours to Full day trips. Private groups are just that – it will just be you and your friends so we can make sure that the itinerary and pace suits your requirements. With our new safety boat we can take anything from 6 to 30 persons on a private group trip.

New Cornwall Canoeing Weekends - 

Take up a weekend break on the water improving your experience or just exploring the territory with 2 canoe trips (or hire sessions) on the river covering different sections over two days. Off the water relax away from the modern world with two or more nights at The Ship Inn or The Old Forge Bed and Breakfast in Lerryn. There is plenty of time to fit in a bit of walking in the river valley or on the Coast Path and we can tailor these weekends to Lerryn or you can take up a night or two in Fowey as well.

More information will appear during Feb and March on the new webpages, click here to contact us now about prices, availability and sample itineraries.

New Stock 2010

Having trialled the new sporty sit on top double kayaks last year we are pleased to announce we have added these to our permanent stock of boats. Double sit on kayaks are slick, fast, easy to paddle and for those wanting to be on their own can be easily paddled from the back solo. They also suit those who feel more comfortable and free on top of the boat rather than sitting in it. The only paddlers these are not suitable for are those with any back problems (though the sit on tops do have good quality seats) and those that are on the heavier side. However we still have a full stock of KIWI 2 sit in kayaks for those in these categories.

Finally looking after those on the guided trips our white Safety Boat Encounter Cornwall has now been retired after 5 years of loyal service and a new larger replacement Encounter Cornwall 3 will be brought into service in March to work the river alongside Encounter Cornwall 2

Expanded Canoe Hire Services - New all day hire option from only £25 per day for up to 11 hours. 

Our hire service during 2009 was more popular than ever and for 2010 we want to expand the options to allow even more flexibility in your explorations on the river.

For the first time we are now offering drop off and collection from Lostwithiel at the head of the river making this an alternative entry and exit point and opening up more one way trip possibilities for those wanting to paddle up or down the full length of the river. Check out the new website pages from March for more details. 

We have frozen our std hire prices again for the second year running. In addition when tides allow for those who want to make a full day of things we are offering all day hires from Lerryn in the morning allowing you to ride down to the Fowey area on the outgoing tide, spend the day exploring down to the

coast before returning up river on the early evening tide. You can get up to 11 hours of paddling with this option, have lunch or an early evening meal in one of the waterside pubs, picnic by the coast, find a sheltered cove for a swim in the harbour mouth and spend time exploring not only the river but the sea caves and inlets at the end of the estuary before returning to Lerryn. With the tide helping you both ways this can be a non rushed but fully occupied day and where you take the kayaks out and back you can do this for the bargain price of £25 . That’s less than £3 an hour ! So pack a picnic and a mask and snorkel and get the best value hire canoeing in Cornwall with a full day out on the Fowey ..

New Canoeing Website Pages for 2010

Our canoeing pages are being fully updated during February to cover the new routes and hire options along with pictures of all the options of kayak available to customers.  The new pages will have much more information about the wildlife and attractions that can be visited on all the river routes. This year our programme of Guided Canoe Trips will also be available for you to check through online allowing you to see at a glance what is running on what dates throughout the season.

CLICK HERE to be emailed once the new pages are live

We remain the only company operating Canoeing Trips on the River Fowey with a year round license and the only one with a license to cover all sections of the river. Hope you can join us sometime during the year and if you have any particular requests or questions check out the canoeing pages from March  or just email us now  for help.

January 10th 2010

Cycling Holidays - We are continuing to offer are very popular Cornish Way Cycling Holidays and Cornwall Cycling Short Breaks from Padstow to Mevagissey, coast to coast. These are all currently covered on our website section on  CYCLING IN CORNWALL

NEW ROUTE 2010 - In addition for 2010 we will be adding in some longer holiday opportunities for more experienced cyclists and cycle groups  running the length of the Cornish Way from Bude or Barnstaple in North Devon pedalling all the way through Cornwall to Lands End. With accommodation, maps,  transfers back by minibus or using the train you can cover the length of the county, visit the likes of Eden, The Minack Theatre,  the best beaches and the hidden interior of Cornwall on weeklong pedals finishing at the “end of the country” at Lands End.

Click here to email us for information about services for longer cycling holidays on this route.

Cycle Hire - With the company expanding and concentrating on Cycling Holidays and Canoeing trips after a lot of thought we have decided we are no longer going to offer cycle hire services in the area so that we can concentrate instead on working with the larger Cycle Hire operators.  For those customers on holidays bringing your own bikes this will mean no difference but for those who may want to hire we will be putting you in touch with the larger cycle hire operators in the area if you need cycle hire in Cornwall.  As ever we will arrange collection and return of your bikes for you. For those customers just wanting to hire locally without booking a holiday do still contact the office as we have lists of local cycle hire options which we can pass on to you.

February 8th 2009

For all the latest news and infomation about events in our local area we recommend you visit

 Best of South East Cornwall covering Looe, Polperro, Polruan, Fowey and Bodmin Moor holiday information  plus comprehensive Eating Out, Attractions and Events guides."

February 3rd 2009

One of our nearby farms at Tremeer close to Fowey now has 2 yurts available for those who want a true outdoor experience whilst staying in the area.

Click Here to see the listing and link through to the website. Tremeer is a great location with easy cycle and walking access to Fowey, Polruan and Lerryn as well as the best section of Walking on the Cornish Coast Path between Mevagissey and Plymouth. Within a few miles of our canoe trips and hire service on the River Fowey its perfect for adventurous groups who want a bit more than the usual B&B option.

 Tremee Farm Yurt Holidays Cornwall -   www.yurtscornwall.com

January 28th 2009

Running from Thursday 7th to Saturday 16th May, the Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts & Literature in Fowey has hundreds of events open to all incuding walks, talks, plays, music and much much more. Roy Wood, Paddy Ashdown, Colin Dexter, Jan Ravens, Nick Lowe, The Chris Barber Big Band, Show of Hands, Kit and the Widow, Fascinating Aida, Susan Penhaligon and Gilbert O’Sullivan are among the first names to be announced but perhaps the best bits of the festival are the fringe events and activities running all week.

To view the full line up for the Daphne du Maurier Festival, see the events diary,  book your tickets and find out more, visit the festival website now  at  www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk and we hope to see you there !

Anyone wanting to experience more of Daphne Du Mauriers Cornwall whilst staying in the area should consider our two day Daphne du Maurier Walk.

January 27th 2009

2009 Cornwall Walking Programme

Click Here to view or return to our Cornwall Walking Routes Map

The following walks on the South West Coast Path were added to the website during November and December for next season.

1  The Beach Path to St Ives  (Padstow to St Ives Walk)  -  Fantastic Sands, dramatic cliffs and wild overnight harbours. Taking in Padstow, Newquay, Watergate Bay, Portreath, Perranporth and much more on the way to St Ives.

2 The Smugglers Way (Boscastle to Looe over Bodmin Moor)  - A relatively new path this is a fantastic route, just wait for the info. From the stunning harbour at Boscastle up Hardy's Valency Valley climbing up on the mighty and mysterious Bodmin Moor. Your route takes you over the two main Tors, the highest point in Cornwall before a night at Jamacia Inn of Daphne du Maurier fame. After a second night just off the moor at St Neots dropping down to the infant Fowey river as it gushes off the moor you move onto join the otters in the remote and heavily forrested West Looe Valley. A stunning days walking towards the coast brings you to the South and the harbour at Looe.

3 Saints & Smugglers (The 100 mile challenge on Coast Path, Smugglers Way and Saints Way)  The Ultimate walking challenge in Cornwall will be offered by Encounter Cornwall for 2009. Completing both the Saints Way and the Smugglers Way along with two sections of Coast Path, the hardest southern section from Fowey to Looe and on the North Coast the stunning and challenging trail from Padstow via Tintagel to Boscastle.

4 The Wild Lands End Way - St Ives to Penzance Walk - The first and last walking route in the Country. St Ives, Minack Theatre, Penzance, Sennen Cove, abandoned tin mines, stone circles and even a dinosaur egg beach

5 The Lizard Aventure - Penzance to Falmouth Walk - Towering cliffs, smuggling coves, hidden creeks and superb walking through the unique geology and fauna on the unspoilt and remote Lizard Peninsular

If you are interested in a quote and free draft itinerary on any of these walks then email us at info@encountercornwall.com

Existing Routes include

The Atlantic Wreckers Trail (Hartland to Padstow) South West Coast Path / Cornish Coast Path

The Harbours and Coves Route (Falmouth to Plymouth) South West Coast Path / Cornish Coast Path

The Lizard Adventure -  Penzance to Falmouth - South West Coast Path / Cornish Coast Path

The Wild Lands End Way - St Ives to Penzance - South West Coast Path / Cornish Coast Path

The St Michaels Way - Penzance to St Ives Walk

The Saints Way - Padstow to Fowey Walk

The Daphne du Maurier Walk -  Walking in the Fowey Area

 Just email or call the office (01208 871066) to discuss your requirements.

Encounter Cornwall - the local experts in   Cornwall Coast Path Walking Holidays,  South West Coast Path Walking Holidays, Saints Way Walking Holidays and Smugglers Way Walking Holidays.

Call the office for further information on Walking in the Lizard area, Walking in the Lands End area, Walking in the St Ives area, Walking in the Padstow area or for general help with Walking Short Breaks in Cornwall. Walking Short Breaks on the Cornish Coast Path & Walking Short Breaks on the South West Coast Path. 

January 27th 2009

Click here to see an article and photo of one of our early season evening paddles which appeared in Adventure Cornwall magazine. It was a chilly old evening out on the river but the text and pictures give you some more ideas about how beautiful this area is to canoe in on one of our guided kayak trips on the river Fowey.

December 22nd 2008

With a well earned break from Kayaking on the River Fowey Encounter Cornwall's staff and safety boats took to the waters on Saturday to help marshall and provide safety support for the annual Lerryn River Seagull Race.

Now in its 21st year this rather bizarre event involves upwards of 40 boats, surfboards, rafts and canoes on the River Fowey racing in a two leg run up and down the Lerryn creek using ancient "seagull" engines for power.

Plenty of post race arguments and disqualifications were duly settled in The Ship Inn in Lerryn after a riotous wacky race - For more pictures - if you were involved see the gallery on the Lerryn village website at www.lerryn.net

If you want to join in this excellent event next year contact us and we can send you details......

or if you would rather explore the stunning creek without merry hoards of Cornishmen and Women then click here for our Kayak Hire in Cornwall service or read more about our Guided Canoe Trips on the River Fowey