The Rumps
Coast path
Rumps Point
For the fallen
Path to Pentire Point
The Rumps from Pentire Point
Sea pinks
New Polzeath
Campions on the footpath
- Distance:4 miles
- Walk grade:Moderate
- Start from:Lead Mines car park
- Recommended footwear:walking shoes, or trainers in summer
Highlights
- Panoramic views of Port Isaac Bay, Polzeath and the Camel Estuary
- Rugged granite cliffs and rock stacks
- Remains of fort at The Rumps
- Sandy beach at Pentireglaze
Directions
- Park in the National Trust Lead Mines car park.
- At the map go up over the hill and head towards the gate at the far end of the field. (Turn right if you are facing the map).
- At the waymark turn left towards The Rumps and follow the coastal path.
- On the way up the hill, don't forget to stop and look back as the panoramic view is amazing. Rough Tor (left) and Brown Willy can be seen in the distance.
- As you come to the top of the hill a path leads off to the right onto the top of Com Head - follow this path to get more views of the coastline.
- Continue on the coast path to The Rumps
- Head out onto the headlands through the ramparts to admire the views
- Follow the coast path along the rugged cliffs to Pentire point, passing the "Fall the Fallen" plaque.
- Continue on the coast path until you descend onto the beach at Pentireglaze Haven.
- Follow the track up from the back of the beach. Where bends back on itself to go up to New Polzeath go straight ahead on the footpath.
- When it comes out in a field cross the field and the next larger one.
- In the third field follow the left hedge and cross a small field onto the lane.
- Turn left onto the lane and follow it up the hill and left onto the track to Pentire Farm.
- Turn right into the Lead Mines car park to complete the circular walk.
There were mines producing lead here for around 400 years, with the production finally stopping in 1857. The ore cerrusite (lead carbonate) can contain over 75% lead and is often found in considerable quantities.
Three ramparts (banks and ditches) span the narrowest part of the promontory. These date from the late Iron Age and were once topped by wooden palisades.
The poet Laurence Binyon wrote For the Fallen in 1914 while sitting on the cliffs here between Pentire Point and The Rumps. The stone plaque was erected at the spot in 2001 to commemorate the fact and quotes the stanza popularly known as The Ode.
