A Wintry Walk in Kings Wood

hayley_bp

20 February 2023

Situated on the eastern side of the scenic Pentewan Valley Road, Kings Wood lies just south of London Apprentice. The village acquired its rather unusual name in 1747 after local watering hole, the London Apprentice Inn. It’s namesake derived from a popular ballad at the time after a sailor who landed at Pentewan and, unable to work, travelled to London to learn his trade before returning to Cornwall to establish himself near St Austell.

The wood itself stretches across 58.5 hectares of serene flora and fauna and serves as a relic of an ancient woodland dating back more than 400 years. It was thought to have been part of the Earl of Lancasters property, but was reverted to the King (hence “The Kings Wood”) after the Earl’s execution in 1322 for rebelling against his cousin, King Edward II. In more recent years, King’s Wood came under the ownership of the Forestry Commission, who planted a variety of conifers in the 1960’s.

Today, the Woodland Trust manage the land and have since cleared the conifers to promote and encourage broadleaved species, which in turn, support a more diverse collection of native wildlife. The long history of the woodland also links with Cornwall’s industrial past, and the St Austell River runs along the valley floor (also known as The White River due to the china clay that colours it), that was used for tin streaming in times gone by. The river underwent heavy modification during the industrial revolution and the lower parts now resemble a canal, however, habitat improvement work on the river is currently underway as part of the South Cornwall River Improvement Project.

Populated by herds of nimble roe deer, Kings Wood provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of fauna, including rare species of butterflies alongside the more commonly spotted, and a walk through the woodland provides endless wildlife spotting opportunities. In the spring, you can expect a show stopping display as a thick blanket of bluebells blossom, as well as a variety of wildflowers, whereas the marshy environments of the wood provide a fantastic home for toads, frogs, newts and dragonflies.

A free-of-charge car park can be found off Pentewan Road (just after London Apprentice and the Kings Wood restaurant). Leaving the car park on foot, you have the option to follow the main track through the woods or along the river bank. If you choose the latter option, you will pick up the Pentewan Leisure Trail, or alternatively, make use of the wood’s trails that vary in difficulty. These often narrower, steeper and uneven trails are admittedly more challenging, however, with this they tend to be more peaceful and offer walkers a tête-à-tête immersed in nature. The track through the wood eventually culminates at east-facing Pentewan Beach, where you can enjoy a gently stroll on the white sands. If you wish to make this walk circular, simply follow the river downwards and take the woodland path back, or vice versa.