Suggested Walks
Into Mullion Cove
Approx. 25 minutes…
Turn left as you go out of the Hotel grounds and head towards the cannon. There are several paths to choose from down into the Cove, varying in their steepness! The path narrows as it bares to the left and you may feel that you are actually walking through someone’s back garden - just keep going. You will eventually come down some stone steps and into the Harbour.
Once in the Cove, do spend some time looking around. The harbour was completed in 1891 and has recently undergone some quite extensive renovations. It is still a working harbour - you’ll notice the fishing fleet and the many crab pots that are stacked at the sides. The little old building at the end of the pier used to be the light house. It had an oil lamp that was lit every night by a man who walked a mile and a quarter - he never missed a night in years! When electricity was installed in this Hotel a cable was run from the hotel to the light house. It was the responsibility of the Head Waiter to flick the switch every night - he often used to forget!! There used to be three working mills in the Cove - each had a separate task, milling a different cereal. None of the three remain, but there is a modern mill wheel on your right as you look out to sea. As you walk down the slipway towards the sea you will see a cave on your left, this leads to the beach on the other side. Please be aware that when the tide comes in, this cave fills with water. Check the tide times. For a round walk, which is slightly easier than climbing all the way up the cliff again, follow the road out of the Cove, past the Potter’s Wheel and then turn left just before the car park on the left, taking the road back up to the Hotel.
To the top of Polurrian Cove
Approx. 30 minutes….
Turn right out of the Hotel grounds and take the gravel cliff path. The path turns into a rough road, in front of several houses. There is a fault in the cliff at this point - don’t worry, it’s safe, but you may be interested to note that where the cliff has obviously eroded - a house did once stand there! As you come to the end of the rough road you will notice the Polurrian Hotel entrance in front of you. Take the coast path on your left which passes down in front of the Hotel, which takes you to the top of Polurrian Cove and down to the beach should you so wish.
Turning back, take the tarmac road straight ahead when you get to the Polurrian Hotel entrance again. Follow this road to the end and turn right. This road passes by ‘Mullion Meadows’ and ‘Trenance Chocolate Factory’ you can then just follow the road all the way down the hill, past the two car parks and then turn to the right and back up the hill to the Hotel.
Into Polurrian Cove and through Mullion Village
Approx. 45 minutes
Follow the first paragraph of the previous walk until you reach the top of Polurrian Cove. There is a choice of paths down into the Cove - either straight down - watch the steps as they can be a bit slippery! or a gentler route which sweeps down to the right. The building down in the Cove is where the Surf Life Saving Team keep all their equipment - many local youngsters train as Surf Life Savers and man the Cove throughout the summer months. Polurrian Cove is perhaps the most popular beach for the locals - as you will notice you cannot get to it by road!
The stream that flows into the Cove is the Meres. Cross the wooden bridge over the stream and take the path which leads up and to the right, away from the sea, up the valley. Gradually the path widens into a rough road and you will see several properties. As you come out of the valley you will pass two whitewashed cottages on your left - just past these take a narrow footpath which is almost directly in front of you at the top of the hill.
This path will take you between two houses across a road and straight on to another narrow path which goes past the Park and eventually into the heart of the village - just to one side of the Church. The church is probably one of the most beautiful you will ever see - and it is usually open during daylight hours.
To make your way back to the Hotel, turn to your right, follow the road signposted to Mullion Cove, past the Mounts Bay Inn, and around the corner by the fish and chip shop. Opposite the Fish and Chip shop there is the village clock and to the left of that is a building, now used as a garage, but which used to be the fire station! As the road bends round to the right and then straightens out, the old granite building on your left was the village primary school, now the main post office. A modern school was built behind it. Further on you will pass Mullion Cricket Ground on your left. Keep going and you’ll pass Mullion Meadows, follow the road as it bares round and then straight down and past the two car parks and turn right up the hill to the Hotel.
To the top of Poldhu Cove, and either back the same way or back through the Village
Approx. 90 minutes
Follow the first paragraphs of the previous two walks as far as Polurrian Cove.
Cross over the wooden bridge and continue to follow the coast path to your left and up the hill towards the sea. After about half a mile across the coastal path you will come to the Marconi Monument - where the first radio waves were transmitted over the Atlantic to Newfoundland. The local radio club still meets in one of the nearby outbuildings to honour the historic transmission. The building at the top of Poldhu Cove is now a nursing home, but it used to be yet another hotel! You have a choice at Marconi Monument - either climb over the hedge, where there are some granite steps cut in the wall to help you and cross over the field to the wooden gate to join a path where you turn to your right - or follow the coast path in front of the nursing home to get one of the best views of Poldhu Cove. When you reach the tarmac road, turn right up to the Home, then left following the footpath signs, over a small cattle grid to join the path that you would have done, had you crossed the field.
This path will take you past Angrouse Farm and a lovely thatched farmhouse. When you reach the main road turn right towards Mullion. Follow the road as it bends round to the right and dips down , past the Fire Station on your left and the Park on your right. As the road forks, the quickest way is to go up by the Old Inn and then just keep going, passing the things mentioned in the walk above, back to the Hotel and a well earned rest!
To the cliffs above Mullion Island and then back through the fields.
Approx. 45 – 60 minutes
Make your way down into the Cove as for walk one and to the far side of the Fishermen’s huts. The cliff path is very steep, but well worth the effort, up to the top; of Mullion Cliffs. At the top there is a fantastic view of the Island, which is volcanic in origin and a bird sanctuary.
Follow the coastal path away from the Hotel, heading towards an area known as Predannack. When you see a rather imposing looking house nestling in a valley, take the path to your left away from the sea. There will probably be Shetland ponies and Soay sheep grazing the cliffs. English Nature use these animals to keep the cliffs under control. They do a fantastic job - because in the spring these cliffs are just a mass of colour with thrift, bladder wort, heather, primroses, bluebells and orchids.
You will pass an area that has obviously been extensively quarried in the past. A pair of buzzards are often seen circling over the quarry. Keep going until you come to a wooden gate. Go through the gate and then take the footpath on your left. If you feel you are going through someone’s garden - don’t worry - you are! Cross over several styles, keeping to the edge of the fields. In the second field just as you cross the stile, turn to your right where you will see a very ancient Celtic cross. Hundreds of years ago Predannack, which is now only a small hamlet, was the biggest village in the area and some say that John Wesley came to preach at the site of this Celtic Cross. At the end of the third field keep following the path which is to the right. It will take you down and then up the sides of a valley - the little stream flows into Mullion Cove. When you meet a much wider track turn left and follow it until you join the road. Turn right and up the road and just before the car park on your left you will see the road leading up the hill and back to the hotel.
