Truro and Malpas Attractions

A former vibrant river port nestled on the confluence of the Tresillian and Truro rivers, Malpas is a popular destination with day trippers and holiday makers who come to enjoy the stunning river setting, breath-taking views and tranquillity of the natural surroundings. It is also the departure point for river cruises all the way to Falmouth. This quiet, pretty village is perfect for everybody seeking an escape from the madding crowd. It’s a place where you will find pristine nature, stunning walks, friendly smiles and a chance to just be.   Pristine Nature Malpas is located within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Malpas Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is an important habitat of tidal mudflats, which are a feeding ground for wildfowl and wading...

Perched in a stunning setting on the confluence of the Truro and Tresillian rivers just two miles out of Truro, Malpas is a small village consisting of a pub, a harbour, private homes and holiday cottages. Now a quiet getaway from the madding crowd, Malpas was in its heyday a bustling place of industry and boat building.   “The Treacherous Passage” It is difficult to say if there were any buildings at present-day Malpas in the Middle Ages, however there was certainly a river crossing very early on, which gave Malpas its name: “The Treacherous Passage”. Malpas lies in the parish of St Clement, which in the Doomsday Book is recorded as Moresk. A manor of Moresk originally stood just above the village of St Clement and was one of the original estates of the Duchy of Cornwall when it was founded...

A triumph of Gothic Revival Architecture, Truro Cathedral is a dominating feature of the city’s skyline and best admired when silhouetted against the bright blue Cornish sky. But what is its story? How was this important hub of worship, art and the local community built and why?   “London of Southwest” Although Truro may not be as old as some other places in Cornwall, it has a rich and illustrious history. It first emerged in the Norman times, when a settlement formed around a castle built in 1139-1140 at the site of the present-day Truro Courts of Justice. By the beginning of the 14th century, Truro was an important port and a stannary town for assaying and stamping tin and copper from Cornish mines. Truro’s prosperity peaked in the 18th and 19th century, when wealthy mine owners moved to...

Fal River Cottage is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the village of Malpas two miles downriver from Truro. Its outstanding riverside location affords it spectacular, uninterrupted river views and abundance of walks for both you and your pooch along the rivers of Truro, Tresillian and Fal or across country. It is also happily situated within a driving distance from the beaches of Newquay that may be closed to dogs in summer but are accessible to them during the out-of-season period. Enterprise Ferries continue to run boat trips from Malpas down the river Fal as far as Trelissick Gardens, Falmouth and St Mawes. After a bracing day in the fresh air the Fal River Cottage will welcome you with a toasty log-burner or else you may decide to spend the evening at the Heron Inn just...

The walk from Fal River Cottage to St Clement is a lovely circular walk. We recommend starting the walk with the steep steps which can be found about 30M to the left of the cottage as you exit the front gate. The scenery takes in a lovely tree lined path and open fields before arriving in St Clement. The village of St Clement is very pretty and is dominated by the church. As you walk into the church yard, don't miss the art gallery which is just inside the main gate. From St. Clement, you can follow the Trisillian river back to Malpas. There is also a more direct route back (you will see the signpost for this more direct path next to the public toilets in St. Clement) The start of the walk involves walking uphill in these steps. Walking through the tree lined tunnel at the top of the steps Not a...

  Fal River Cottage  (in Malpas) is ideal for those planning a walking holiday in Cornwall. The walk from Malpas to Truro is a great walk for a sunny day. You don't need to walk on the road long as there is a path that drops down below the road once you leave Malpas. Trennick Mill represents the half way point of the walk and is a good place to stop for refreshments. Boscawen Park is across the road from Trennick Mill and has some lovely flower beds. The park has an awesome play ground which makes it an ideal destination in it's own right for couples with children. Orientation / Practical Information To start the walk, Just turn right as you exit Fal River Cottage and walk along the road (past the pub). The foot path itself starts once you leave Malpas village (See pics below). When...