Location: West Looe, alongside the West Looe River, South East Cornwall
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: 10 minutes by road to Millpool car park
Walk distance: Circular walk around 2.7 miles (allow 1.5 to 2 hours)
Kilminorth Woods is one of the largest valley oaklands in Cornwall and a Local Nature Reserve right on West Kellow's doorstep. If you want a quiet woodland walk on a day when the coast is too windy, or you've got a dog who needs stretching, this is the easy default.
What to expect
Kilminorth is classified as semi-natural ancient woodland and has been continuously wooded for at least 400 years. It's mostly sessile oak and birch, with beech, sycamore, sweet chestnut and the occasional Scots pine, and a holly understorey. The woods follow the West Looe River upstream from Millpool (West Looe's main car park) to Watergate, around 1.3 miles each way along the river.
The lower path runs right alongside the water and is mostly level. You'll spot herons, egrets, Canada geese, and (with a bit of luck and patience) kingfishers darting low over the water. Roe deer pass through, and you might catch the drilling of a woodpecker on a still morning. In spring the woodland floor fills with primroses and bluebells, followed by wood anemones and dog violets. In autumn the chestnut and beech trees do their thing.
Halfway along you'll come across the remains of the Giant's Hedge, a strange Dark Ages earthwork that once stretched nine miles from Looe to Lerryn (across to the Fowey estuary). Local rhyme says "Jack the giant having nothing to do, built a hedge from Lerryn to Looe," but historians think it more likely marked the boundary of an early medieval kingdom.
A circular walk to Watergate and back is around 2.7 miles. If you're up for more, you can extend it across into Trenant Woods on the other side of the river, or join the South West Coast Path for a longer day.
Getting there from West Kellow
Drive into Looe (10 minutes), cross the bridge to West Looe, and park at the Millpool car park (the big car park just past the West Looe quay). The entrance to Kilminorth Woods is at the far end of the car park; you can't miss the carved wooden sign.
Practical info
The woods are owned by Cornwall Council and looked after by the Friends of Kilminorth Woods, a local volunteer group who've done sterling work on rhododendron clearance and habitat management. Entry is free.
Is Kilminorth Woods dog-friendly? Yes, very. It's one of the best dog walks within easy reach of Looe.
Is Kilminorth Woods suitable for pushchairs? The lower riverside path from Millpool is mostly level and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The upper path through the woods is steeper and more uneven.
Can I walk to Kilminorth Woods from Looe town? Yes. It's around a 5 to 10 minute walk from Looe bridge through West Looe.
There are public toilets at Millpool car park before you start.
While you're there
Combine with a wander around Looe town or fish and chips on the quayside. If you've got the energy, you can pick up the Looe to Polperro coast path on the same day from Hannafore (10 minutes' walk from Millpool). For a full nature day, pair with a boat trip out to Looe Island.
Find out more: https://www.visitlooe.co.uk/see-and-do/kilminorth-woods-p2930813
