Lansallos

Lansallos is a quiet farming parish on the south-east Cornish coast between Polruan and Polperro, named after St Salwys, a ninth-century hermit; 'lan' marks a religious site. From the National Trust car park a lane passes St Ildierna's Church, where a church was first recorded in 1321, with a font from around 1100, sixteenth-century oak pews and a carved green man on the tower arch. A leafy path with play-trail features for children then runs down to Lansallos Cove, where a small waterfall known as the Reed Water tumbles in at the site of an old water mill. The South West Coast Path leads east towards Polperro and west to Lantivet Bay, overlooked by a coastguard Watch House built in 1835 after coastguards caught smugglers landing brandy. Reviewers love the clear water and the secluded cove at the end of the woodland walk, and note there are no facilities, so bring your own food and drink. Dogs are welcome on a short lead.