Stithians: Lake, Trails and History

Stithians Lake is the largest inland body of water in West Cornwall. Other topics to consider when planning your trip include the Stithians Show, the Church of St Stythian and nearby Kennall Vale. This brings activities on the water together with ecclesiastical architectural history and traces of the industrial era. The different highlights can be arranged according to your interests and offer varied perspectives on a stay in Stithians.

Lake and Trails

At Stithians Lake, fly fishing is permitted both from the shore and from a boat. You can therefore choose between two starting points when fishing, while the method remains the same in either case: fly fishing. The walking trail around the lake is just under five miles long, giving you a specific indication of the distance. There is also a cycle path along the northern shore. When weighing up the options, the points to consider differ: for fly fishing, you choose between the shore and a boat; for the walking trail, the length matters; and for the cycle path, the route along the northern shore is the key factor.

The Stithians Show

Local parishioners founded the Stithians Show in 1834 as a challenge centred on the quality of produce and livestock. The programme includes displays and demonstrations, animals, a fairground and historic vehicles. Food and crafts, as well as stalls selling products from local producers, are also part of the event. Live music takes place on the Main Stage and at the Buskers’ Corner Pop-Up Festival. The classes range from pigeons to show jumping; visitors can watch or take part themselves.

Church and Industrial History

The Church of St Stythian offers another historical point of interest. The chancel’s substructure probably dates from the 13th century, while the rest of the building dates from the 15th century. St Stythian is also a stop on the Mining Villages Trail.

Nearby is Kennall Vale, through which a river flows. It contains numerous ruins from Cornwall’s 19th-century industrial era. The Gunpowder works at Kennall Vale preserve an unusually complete range of relatively well-preserved features. Here, the architectural history of the Church of St Stythian, from the 13th and 15th centuries, stands in contrast to Kennall Vale’s industrial history from the 19th century.

The gate about 15 metres east of the Church of St Stedian comprises gate piers and gates from the early 19th century, as well as stone benches and a coffin rest. This draws attention not only to the gates themselves, but also to other features of the entrance area.

Dining by the Lake

At Stithians Lake, the Farm to Fork Café serves high-quality, locally produced Cornish products. If you would like to include the café in your travel plans, check before your trip whether it is currently operating.

Discover more destinations: Duloe, Saint Gennys, Boscastle, Leedstown, Porthcurno, Constantine, Saint Mawes, Saint Just in Roseland

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.