Posted By: AmunPtah
Guide to visiting the Lost Crown/Barrow Hill locations - 06/28/11 07:24 PM
I've had a few people ask me for advice on how to visit the locations used by Jonathan and Matt in their games. I have therefore put together this short guide of three "walks" that you can do on your visit to Cornwall. You can see the majority of the locations by walking or taking public transport, so don't be put off if you do not have access to a car.
If there is enough interest I may put together a PDF booklet with maps and photos that you can print or read on your smartphone while you visit beautiful Saxton!
Walk 1 - Polperro to Looe (5 miles), following the South West Coast Path (SWCP) along the cliffs
Polperro (Saxton) - SX209509
Everything is here, just as it is in The Lost Crown. You can follow the exact route Nigel does to get almost all of the locations (although don't go looking for Gruel's Antiques or Saxton Station here as they are in Looe). You will spot Harbour Cottage easily, right next to the harbour, along with the exterior of The Bear, the Harbour Wall, beach, caves etc. Next to the Blue Peter Inn is a path to the cliffs and the Old Net Store overlooking the harbour.
Over the little bridge near the jetty slipway is House on the Props (Lighthouse Cafe), which does good lunches. Just north up the hill from the cafe is Nanny Noah's cottage and the Museum, with the little newsagents you can see in the game. (If you were to keep heading north from here, out of Polperro, you would reach the Crumplehorn (SX205515), where the Western Greyhound Bus to Looe picks up/drops off, but ignore that for now.)
Head back to the House on the Props and go south this time, along The Warren, part of the South West Coast Path (the coast path is marked in green on the map, with little diamonds every couple of centimetres). There is a smuggling museum a minute or so along the path, and just around the corner from that is Bob's Workshop and Celtic Corner. Continue along the path, up the steep hill past the benches, and you will reach Reuben's Walk, with good views over the town.
The Lighthouse - SX213509
A few metres along the SWCP you will need to take an unmarked footpath on your right, heading down the cliff. Wind your way down the path and you will quickly spot the lighthouse. You will need to take another path on the right to reach it. When you are done here, head back up to the SWCP, and continue east.
The War Memorial Cross - SX220509
About a mile east of the lighthouse is the memorial. It is just off the SWCP, so you will not miss it.
Talland Bay (Ulcombe) - SX224515
Continue along the SWCP from the memorial, turn right where the path divides (down the steep, steep slope!) and along the driveway to Talland Bay. There is a nice little beach and cafe here. Just up the slope, past the toilets, you will find The Telephone Box from Barrow Hill. Turn right at the telephone box and go along the road to another cafe.*Opposite this second cafe, in the dirt car park, is the SWCP, heading up the edge of the cliff, but ignore that for the moment.
Walk up the road behind the cottage instead, around the sharp bend and up the steep hill. It is a tiring 100 metres, but you will be rewarded with a visit to Ulcombe Church! *(SX229516) A sign on the right will lead you into the churchyard. The exterior and interior of the church are very similar, although the area where Timmy is hiding in the shed is on the northern side of the church, rather than the eastern side as in the game.*The church usually opens around 10am, and has a history exhibition. If you do find the church closed in the week (unusual, but is has happened to me once), return to the church at the weekend and it will be open.
Return to the SWCP, either by going back down the hill to the car park, or preferably, head to the highest part of the churchyard, closest to the tower. Behind the bench is a short flight of steps into the field. Cross to the cliff edge across the field and you will quickly rejoin the SWCP. Turn left/east and follow the SWCP along the cliffs.
Meadow & Bridge - SX241515
Another mile or so along the SWCP, you will cross a wooden plank bridge. This is the bridge and meadow where Nigel collected the Pasque flower. There is a big tree growing there now, but you can recreate the game scene if you step down off the path. You will also see Looe Island (Hallowed Isle from TLC2!).
The Pinnacles - SX258525
You will soon reach a large grassy field with a few picnic benches. There is a pleasant detour to a ruined chapel signposted here. Continue to the end of the large field, through the gate and you will enter Hannafore, a residential part of Looe. Take a path on the right opposite the houses down to the sea defence wall.
You will get good views of Looe Island from here, and as the coast curves towards the north you will see The Pinnacles on the right. If you come at low tide you can head down onto the beach and walk amongst the rocks.
When you are done here you can head up to the road and follow it into Looe, with views of the beach and Martello Tower. A ferry usually runs across the river, or you can do the longish walk to the bridge and get into the main part of Looe that way. There are several bus stops on each side of the river, so you should not have a problem finding a bus back to Polperro. When you are on the bus heading back to Polperro, look out for the "Barrow Hill" Petrol Station on the left.
If there is enough interest I may put together a PDF booklet with maps and photos that you can print or read on your smartphone while you visit beautiful Saxton!
Walk 1 - Polperro to Looe (5 miles), following the South West Coast Path (SWCP) along the cliffs
Polperro (Saxton) - SX209509
Everything is here, just as it is in The Lost Crown. You can follow the exact route Nigel does to get almost all of the locations (although don't go looking for Gruel's Antiques or Saxton Station here as they are in Looe). You will spot Harbour Cottage easily, right next to the harbour, along with the exterior of The Bear, the Harbour Wall, beach, caves etc. Next to the Blue Peter Inn is a path to the cliffs and the Old Net Store overlooking the harbour.
Over the little bridge near the jetty slipway is House on the Props (Lighthouse Cafe), which does good lunches. Just north up the hill from the cafe is Nanny Noah's cottage and the Museum, with the little newsagents you can see in the game. (If you were to keep heading north from here, out of Polperro, you would reach the Crumplehorn (SX205515), where the Western Greyhound Bus to Looe picks up/drops off, but ignore that for now.)
Head back to the House on the Props and go south this time, along The Warren, part of the South West Coast Path (the coast path is marked in green on the map, with little diamonds every couple of centimetres). There is a smuggling museum a minute or so along the path, and just around the corner from that is Bob's Workshop and Celtic Corner. Continue along the path, up the steep hill past the benches, and you will reach Reuben's Walk, with good views over the town.
The Lighthouse - SX213509
A few metres along the SWCP you will need to take an unmarked footpath on your right, heading down the cliff. Wind your way down the path and you will quickly spot the lighthouse. You will need to take another path on the right to reach it. When you are done here, head back up to the SWCP, and continue east.
The War Memorial Cross - SX220509
About a mile east of the lighthouse is the memorial. It is just off the SWCP, so you will not miss it.
Talland Bay (Ulcombe) - SX224515
Continue along the SWCP from the memorial, turn right where the path divides (down the steep, steep slope!) and along the driveway to Talland Bay. There is a nice little beach and cafe here. Just up the slope, past the toilets, you will find The Telephone Box from Barrow Hill. Turn right at the telephone box and go along the road to another cafe.*Opposite this second cafe, in the dirt car park, is the SWCP, heading up the edge of the cliff, but ignore that for the moment.
Walk up the road behind the cottage instead, around the sharp bend and up the steep hill. It is a tiring 100 metres, but you will be rewarded with a visit to Ulcombe Church! *(SX229516) A sign on the right will lead you into the churchyard. The exterior and interior of the church are very similar, although the area where Timmy is hiding in the shed is on the northern side of the church, rather than the eastern side as in the game.*The church usually opens around 10am, and has a history exhibition. If you do find the church closed in the week (unusual, but is has happened to me once), return to the church at the weekend and it will be open.
Return to the SWCP, either by going back down the hill to the car park, or preferably, head to the highest part of the churchyard, closest to the tower. Behind the bench is a short flight of steps into the field. Cross to the cliff edge across the field and you will quickly rejoin the SWCP. Turn left/east and follow the SWCP along the cliffs.
Meadow & Bridge - SX241515
Another mile or so along the SWCP, you will cross a wooden plank bridge. This is the bridge and meadow where Nigel collected the Pasque flower. There is a big tree growing there now, but you can recreate the game scene if you step down off the path. You will also see Looe Island (Hallowed Isle from TLC2!).
The Pinnacles - SX258525
You will soon reach a large grassy field with a few picnic benches. There is a pleasant detour to a ruined chapel signposted here. Continue to the end of the large field, through the gate and you will enter Hannafore, a residential part of Looe. Take a path on the right opposite the houses down to the sea defence wall.
You will get good views of Looe Island from here, and as the coast curves towards the north you will see The Pinnacles on the right. If you come at low tide you can head down onto the beach and walk amongst the rocks.
When you are done here you can head up to the road and follow it into Looe, with views of the beach and Martello Tower. A ferry usually runs across the river, or you can do the longish walk to the bridge and get into the main part of Looe that way. There are several bus stops on each side of the river, so you should not have a problem finding a bus back to Polperro. When you are on the bus heading back to Polperro, look out for the "Barrow Hill" Petrol Station on the left.