Ruan Lanihorne
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Ruan Lanihorne is a quiet hamlet close to the northern border of the Roseland Peninsular and a haven for anyone who wishes to escape the hubbub of 2008. The Old Forge is at the eastern end of the village. From here you can walk straight into rolling farmland with views across the valley to the hills from which the Ruan springs or, follow the river to Sett Bridge and the oak trees of Lamorran with Kingfishers, Herons and Oystercatchers for company.
Only 250 yards from the Old Forge is the King's Head where they have struck a happy balance between a village pub and fine dining. There is a pleasant garden to while away a summer's afternoon and in the winter, log fires a sleepy cat and time for a chat at the bar. Always there is excellent fresh food and a selection of fine wine and ales.
Toward the western end of the village is the Grade I listed church of St. Rumon. It was built in 1321 and dedicated to the 6th century Saint who travelled from Ireland to help establish Christianity in the West Country. The ancient building and monuments in the churchyard create a serene, timeless atmosphere
If you are sailing why not anchor in the Fal and take a tender to Ruan. The stone quay 300 yards from the village is tidal but a dinghy may stay for some hours on the flood. Better still, stay at the Old Forge and explore the Ruan, Percuil and Fal rivers. Upstream to Malpas and St. Clements, downstream to Tolvern, Coombe, Roundwood, Trelissick, St. Just and St. Mawes.
Other Villages
Bohortha
Tucked
away up the lane behind Porthbeor this little gem is easy to miss as you go down
to the beach or on to St. Anthony's Head. The Old Schoolhouse and small
cottages are timeless. The thatched cottages ravaged by fire are
slowly being repaired and rebuilt by the NT. There are several good walks from Bohortha including to Porthbeor, St.Anthony's Head, Place, Froe and
Towan. There is a foot ferry service from Place to St. Mawes
(departs Place slipway or Totty's steps depending on the tide).
Gerrans
Up the hill from Portscatho is the village of Gerrans. Too often people just drive through on their way elsewhere and miss the Royal Standard Pub, the small art gallery and small museum. There are some excellent walks inland behind Gerrans taking in Percuil and the river at Trethem Mill.
Melinsey
Melinsey Mill is a restored 16th century water mill with gardens, crafts and excellent cakes and teas. A very fine lunch-stop or somewhere to pick up a freshly baked treat for later! There is a lovely riverside walk through the woods down to Carne Beach of about 40mins each way.
Philleigh
The Hamlet of Philleigh is home to the Roseland Pub which has always been a firm favourite nestled between the ancient church that gives the village its name and Court Farm which has been owned and run by the Pascoes for several generations. Across from the pub is one of the Roseland's C.18th roundhouses built this way to prevent the devil from hiding in the corners!
Place
Place Manor faces St. Mawes across the Percuil River. It is tucked in behind St. Anthony's Head with well kept lawns sloping down to the creek. Once a hotel, the manor is now a private house but the tiny church of St. Anthony in Roseland is open to the public. Maintained through charitable and private donations it is a little gem tucked away in a quiet corner.
Portloe
Built around a steep sided cleft in the coast Portloe is a tiny unspoilt fishing village. The Lugger Hotel is at the head of the slipway where the fishing boats a drawn up. The coast between Portloe and Nare Head is spectacular with views out to sea and Gull Rock. Across the fields to Veryan provides a series of contrasting walk. Small shop & post office.
Portscatho
On a south facing slope overlooking Gerrans Bay the
village has a small square and pretty harbour. A wide range of provisions
(food, drink, hardware, just about anything) are available from
Ralph's which has been supplying the Roseland for decades. There is
a butcher, post office and four art galleries. The Plume of
Feathers and The Boathouse serve good food in or outdoors. Portscatho
is a great location to start some of the best coastal walks.
St. Mawes
The main town of the Roseland Peninsular life revolves around the
harbour. There are several good pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels,
the excellent Waterside Gallery, various other shops for provisions
including a fudge shop and the post office. There is a regular
passenger ferry to Falmouth. At the head of the estuary and
with a commanding viewpoint is the castle built by
Henry VIII to guard the important waters of the Carrick Roads. This
is well worth a visit or attending one of the plays or musical
events held during the year.
St. Just in Roseland
The main draw is the church that gives the village its name. The sub-tropical climate and sheltered position have been put to good effect and the graveyard is a garden or remembrance and peace not mourning. The only sound to break the calm comes from the parliament of rooks in the pine trees. Tucked in beside the water and protected by the shingle bar that is home to the boatyard, St. Just is a contender for the most picturesque church in Cornwall. There is a lovely walk from the churchyard down to the bar and boatyard thereafter through the fields to St. Mawes castle.
Tolverne
Smugglers Cottage is a small thatched cottage by the river which sells cream teas and light meals during the summer months. The cottage is upstream in the quieter stretches of the river and there is a pontoon on the river for site-seeing trips.
Tregony
Called the "gateway to the Roseland", has a large convenience store with most food, drink and household provisions, a post-office with cards, maps and stationary and an art gallery. The pub in the centre of the village is ####.
Veryan
The C18th Roundhouses stand guard at the entrances to Veryan to stop the devil hiding in corners or getting into the village. There is a small store with plenty of provisions and the New Inn facing the village green.
The Roseland
Ruan Lanihorne
&
other villages