Discover Lostwithiel

You can plan your visit to Lostwithiel from several different perspectives: the town’s history is reflected in its historic buildings, while the trails and landscape offer a different focus. For planning your trip, it is especially helpful to distinguish the Restormel Walking Trail from the longer Saints’ Way long-distance route. The museum and market also offer different ways to experience the town.

Historic traces in the town’s buildings

Lostwithiel was the capital of Cornwall throughout the 14th century. The Medieval Bridge stands at the site of the original crossing of the River Fowey. It was rebuilt in the 13th or 14th century and has remained in use ever since, despite repeated repairs. The bridge therefore brings together the earlier river crossing and a later phase of construction in a long history of use.

St Bartholomew’s Church is a Grade I listed building, the highest category. Its tower dates from the 13th century; the spire was added in the early 14th century. A baptismal font from the early 14th century adds carved figures and animals to the architecture. The motifs depicted include a hunter with a falcon, a wolf with dogs, and lions. You can therefore consider the church’s architectural history and sculptural details as two distinct aspects.

At Restormel Castle, the setting takes centre stage: the castle rises on a high hill, deeply encircled by a moat, overlooking the River Fowey. This location gives the castle its own distinctive landscape appeal among the historic sites you might consider for your trip to Lostwithiel.

Walking trails and landscape

The Restormel Walking Trail is 1.14 miles or 1.8 kilometres long and takes approximately 45 minutes. This approximate duration can help you fit the trail into your day’s plans. The Saints’ Way is on a different scale: this 26-mile or 42-kilometre long-distance walking route runs from Padstow to Fowey and passes through Lostwithiel. This gives you two distinctly different walking options: a trail taking around 45 minutes and a long-distance route with clearly specified endpoints.

The landscape also has its own place in your trip planning. Coulson Park is a riverside park and nature reserve south of Lostwithiel. If you would like to include a nature-focused stop alongside the bridge, church and castle, you can consider the park as a destination in its own right.

Museum, market and visit planning

The original hand-operated 18th-century town fire engine is on display at Lostwithiel Museum. The museum is housed in the Georgian Corn Exchange and the adjoining older Town Gaol. A specific object from the town’s history is thus linked with two historic buildings that differ in their names and dates of construction.

Lostwithiel Farmer’s Market offers seasonal produce, bread, meat, preserves, cakes and crafts. Its selection ranges from food to handmade goods. If you would like to include the market in your plans, check the date of the next market in advance.

St Bartholomew’s Church is open for prayer and visitors Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 16:00. Check the latest visitor information before you arrive so you can take these opening hours into account when planning your visit.

Planning your stay in Lostwithiel

If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip to Lostwithiel, start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: historic buildings and the museum, a visit to the market, or a walk. This will help you consider which aspects of Lostwithiel you would like to make central to your trip before choosing a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Boswinger, Budock Water, Praze-an-Beeble, Poundstock, Quethiock, Pendeen, Mevagissey, Looe

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.