Discover Duloe: Stone Circle, History and Cider

Duloe brings together several themes to help you plan your trip: the Duloe Stone Circle, the history of the church, St Cuby's Well, cider tours and a circular walk to Herodsfoot. The historical evidence ranges from the Late Bronze Age to funerary monuments from the late 18th century; the well house at St Cuby's Well probably dates from the 15th century. For your stay, you can choose between historical sites, a guided tasting and a walk through the woods along the West Looe River. If you are looking for a hotel in Duloe, these highlights can help you factor your interests into your plans.

The Duloe Stone Circle

The Duloe Stone Circle is the smallest stone circle in Cornwall. It dates from the Late Bronze Age, and the stones are made of white quartz. These three details answer different questions: the size comparison places it within Cornwall, the dating describes its period, and the quartz its material. This makes it possible to understand the monument both through its regional distinction and its specific characteristics. The comparison with Cornwall provides a regional measure; the dating and material, by contrast, describe the circle itself. For travellers interested in prehistoric monuments, the stone circle offers a clear point of reference in terms of both period and material.

Church and funerary monuments

The church in Duloe was originally dedicated to St Cuby; a dedication to St Leonard was added later. The two names should therefore be distinguished by period: Cuby belongs to the original dedication, while Leonard was added later. A group of two late-18th-century tomb chests lies 45 m southeast of the Church of St Cuby. The distance and compass direction precisely locate the group in relation to the church. A chapel in Duloe also contains a tomb with a recumbent effigy of Sir John Coleshull. Unlike the tomb chests, the focus here is on a single tomb featuring a named figure. The history of the dedications and the funerary monuments thus offer different perspectives: one a chronological sequence of dedications, the other tangible memorials.

St Cuby's Well and Cornish Orchards

St Cuby's Well is opposite the entrance to Cornish Orchards on the B3254. The well house probably dates from the 15th century. Its location makes it easy to find, while its dating is deliberately qualified as probable. Cornish Orchards offers tours and tastings every week. These explain how cider is made and how different flavours are developed; they also include time in the historic orchard. This adds a different perspective to the heritage sites, focusing on production, flavour and a guided tasting.

Circular walk to Herodsfoot

A circular walk from Duloe leads through the woods along the West Looe River to Herodsfoot. Trail conditions can vary with the season, so take this into account when planning. Unlike the weekly tours, the circular walk is more affected by seasonal conditions.

Discover more destinations: Penrose, Trevone, Camelford, St Ives, White Cross, Lostwithiel, Constantine Bay, St Mawes

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.