Millook Common and Trebarfoote

1. From Millook Haven head up the road towards Crackington (to the left if you are facing the beach)
Millook Haven is a pebble beach for most of the tide though there is some sand at the very lowest part of the tide. The cliffs behind the beach have impressive zig-zag folding patterns formed 320 million years ago. The rocks are part of the "Crackington Formation", thin layers of sandstones and shales, deformed by the tectonic plate collision at the end of the Carboniferous period that crumpled the earth's crust giving rise to the tors of Bodmin Moor.
2. Just past double white doors on left, turn left through a gate onto a track leading up the valley
3. As soon as the track emerges from the trees into a small meadow on the left, take a footpath to the left along the edge of the trees
4. Follow the path around a bend to the right through the woods until it emerges in a field
5. Cross the field to a gap in the hedge
6. Cross another field heading towards Trebarfoote and join the lane to the right of the tree

The manor house at Trebarfoote has had a colourful history, being used by smugglers, attacked in the Cival War and its ballroom the venue of wild parties in the 1920s. It has even been reported as being haunted by the ghost of the daughter of the squire of Penfound Manor who was shot 400 years ago whilst trying to elope with the squire at Trebarfoote. Today it seems a little more sedate - for now anyway.

7. Follow the lane down into the woods, crossing a stream and passing the signpost to Dizzard to "The Den"
The undisturbed history of Millook Valley woods (now owned by the Woodland Trust) and location in a sparsely populated area of the north Cornish coast offers visitors a sense of stepping back in time. The broad-leaved woodland is criss-crossed by footpaths with some great views over the valley. There are bluebells in Spring and loads of blackberries and sloes in Autumn. Other interesting occupants include dormice, otters and smooth snakes. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an Ancient Woodland Site and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
8. Take the path to the left of the house, then turn right past the house through a kissing gate to a footbridge into Landy Wood
9. Turn left up the steps and follow the path to the right at the fork

Some estimates suggest the UK has up to half of the world's total bluebell population; nowhere else in the world do they grow in such abundance. The poor bluebell faces a number of threats:

• There has been large-scale unsustainable removal of bulbs for sale, though it is a now criminal offence to remove the bulbs of wild bluebells.
• There is extensive hybridisation with Spanish bluebells from gardens producing fertile seeds. This has produced hybrid swarms around sites of introductions and, since the hybrids are able to thrive in a wider range of environmental conditions, the hybrids are frequently out-competing the native English bluebells. Sir Francis Drake would not be impressed!
• Bluebells will also struggle in the face of climate change. During periods of cold weather, spring flowers such as bluebells have already started the process of growth by preparing leaves and flowers in underground bulbs in summer and autumn. They are then able to grow in the cold of winter or early spring by using these resources stored in their bulb. Other species (such as cow parsley or dandelions) require warm weather before they are able to germinate and grow. With the warmer springs induced by climate change, bluebells will lose their 'early start' advantage, and be outcompeted.
10. Eventually this emerges in some fields near the Atlantic View farm
11. Follow the track past the farm onto the lane and turn right on the lane
12. There is a field directly opposite the farm. Follow the lane until this field ends and turn left into the field that follows it.
13. Head for the opposite corner of the field and join the coast path running left to right across the far side of the field
14. Take the coast path which runs alongside a house and garden and then along the top of the cliff
15. Eventually it bends back inland onto the lane
16. Turn left and follow the lane downhill to Millook Haven

Honeycomb worm reefs are fascinating structures built out of sand on the lower shore. The large golden hummocks have an intricate honeycomb structure up to several metres across and a metre deep. Filter-feeding worms about 3-4cm long live in tubes fanning out plankton from the passing water and capturing particules of shell and rock to build their tubes. Each worm can live for 3-5 years although the reefs as a whole habitat last much longer. Although quite brittle, the reefs provide stability for a mix of other species including anemones, barnacles, limpets, winkles, whelks, mussels and crabs.

They need hard rock to build on, and sand to build with so their requirements are very specific - there must be enough wave action to bring a supply of sand to the rocky areas but not so much that the worms are blasted off the rocks. The formation of reefs is assisted by a clever biological mechanism. Honeycomb worm larvae drift around in seawater and could settle anywhere to grow into adults. However, the presence of existing worm colonies, or their dead remains, strongly stimulates any passing larvae to settle out at that location, helping to ensure that the reef continues to grow.

Map of Route

• Display full-size map in a new tab
• Download route as GPX file
• Download route as Google KML file

Other walks nearby

• Walks in the bude area
• Walks in the crackington haven area
• Walks in the millook haven area

Related walks you might be interested in

• Walks with a beach
• Circular walks
• Coastal walks
• Walks with potential for foraging
• Wildlife walks
• Woodland walks