Bere Peninsula Cycle Route - 9 miles

Cycle Waypoints

1. 1 Bere Alston was founded as a mining settlement in the 13th Century and silver-lead mines were worked until the late 1800's. You can see good examples of miners cottages throughout the village, which is now the principle settlement of the parish of Bere Ferrers. Turn left from Pilgrim Drive.
2. 2 Turn left at the bottom of the hill. Make your way out of the village, passing the church on your left.
3. 3 Turn right into Pentillie Road.
4. 4 At the junction turn left and continue over a railway bridge to Hole's Hole and Hewton.
5. 5 Hewton still has a fine reputation today for its market garden produce and nursery plants. Take extreme care as you go down the steep hill to Hole's Hole on the River Tamar.
6. 6 Hole's Hole used to be a stop for the paddle steamer to Devonport and Plymouth. It was here that a factory made baskets to carry the area's market garden produce. Close to the quay are lime kilns. Hole's Hole is a good place to sport birdlife, including herons, on the river and mud flats. Continue along the road to Weir Quay - beware of boats and trailers on the roadside.
7. 7 Weir Quay saw the smelting of local silver-lead ores and the smelting plant was just up the hill on the left. Continue along the side of the river Tamar.
8. 8 The chimney on the left marks the site of an old silver-lead mine. The workings extend under the river. In 1856 operations at the mine were brought to an abrupt halt by the river breaking through into the levels. Fortunately this happened on a Sunday so there was no loss of life but the mine was abandoned.
9. 9 Follow the road inland up past Clamoak and then down into a steep-sided, wooded valley - take great care.
10. 10 From Tuckham Bridge continue up Lip Hill, which was the site of a medieval slate quarry.
11. 11 Continue past New Park Farm on your right and into Bere Ferrers over the railway bridge. To visit Bere Ferrers station turn right.
12. 12 Bere Ferrers Station. In 1915, eighteen New Zealand troops were killed here by a train and there is a monument to this terrible disaster in the village church.
13. 13 From the station continue into the village, turning right opposite the Bere Ferrers Social Club.
14. 14 The Church of St Andrew was rebuilt by Sir William de Ferrers in the 14th Century and is well worth a visit. Notable features include the 14th Centruary stained glass, the Norman Font dating from the late 1100's, woodwork from the 16th Century, the fireplace from around the 17th Century and the medieval tombs. The river at Bere Ferrers is the Tavy. If you feel in need of a break, the waterfront here is a good place to stop, take refreshment and admire the view and wildlife.
15. 15 From Bere Ferrers continue along the road to Gnatham, taking care on the narrow lanes.
16. 16 The link from the Lopwell Dam Link Route joins the route here. If you want to follow the link the other way please see the Lopwell Darm Cycle Link Route and bear in mind that the river is tidal and you will need to consult the tide timetable before crossing or you could be waiting for a long time! The Lopwell link is only available from 2nd February until the 30th September.
17. 17 Follow the road up the steep hill towards Collytown. From the road at Collytown you can look back across the valley to the left to see Brunel's historic railway bridge across the Tamar.
18. 18 Continue along the road, straight over a crossroads until you arrive back at Bere Alston.
19. 19 On reaching the main road in Bere Alston, turn left ot arrive back at Pilgrim Drive.