New Cycle Route Launched between Cremyll and Cawsand by the Cornwall AONB and partners
Rame Head is the second smallest of the 12 sections that make up the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at just 7.8 km2. It does however make up for its lack of size with the wealth of treasures which this section contains.
These include the 865-acre Grade I Listed Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and Garden, the picturesque and tranquil, twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand and a wealth of fortifications that date from the period of the American War of Independence (1775-83) through to the Lord Palmerston era in the 1850s.
To support the growth in sustainable, low impact tourism, the Cornwall AONB working with our partners Cornwall Council, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, the Rame Conservation Trust and Sustrans is launching a new cycle route that will improve access for cyclists and pedestrians within the Rame Head section between the Cremyll Ferry and Cawsand. Funding by the South and East Cornwall Local Action Group to the tune of £15,113 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development has provided new waymarking and cycle parking to encourage more people to access the Rame Peninsula as well as to make trips by foot and cycle.
The Rame Conservation Trust own several of the fortifications referred to above just east of Mount Edgcumbe at Maker Heights and are actively working with the AONB on stabilising these important heritage features. Maker Heights commands a stunning view of most of the Rame Head peninsula and across Plymouth Sound towards Wembury, with a campsite open during the spring and summer as well as a café run by an ex River Cottage chef. Maker Camp has a huge significance for the people of Plymouth, since between the 1920s and 80s it hosted thousands of inner city children during school holidays and for many formed their only experience with the natural environment.
The cycle route will improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists with new waymarking between Cremyll Quay and Maker with cycle parking facilities at the Barrow Centre in the Country Park, at Maker Heights and in Cawsand Village in the existing car park.
The investment in new provision also supports more area wide proposals by Cornwall Council and Sustrans to develop a network of strategic cycle routes across Cornwall and especially in South East Cornwall, better connecting Plymouth to Looe and Looe to Liskeard.
The route, which is now in place provides a perfect opportunity to explore this relatively undiscovered section of the AONB as well as tackle a New Year’s resolution to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Gill Pipkin, Chairperson of the Cornwall AONB Partnership, said: “Our Management Plan seeks to work in partnership with Cornwall Council, Sustrans and local communities to increase access opportunities for cyclists across our area to ensure that we can provide for recreation in ways that do not harm our environment or increase the need for car parking and the congestion on our country roads. This work funded by LEADER will be a great starting point to connecting Cremyll Quay with Looe and I am really pleased that in partnership with Mount Edgcumbe and the Rame Conservation Trust we have been able to support Cornwall Council and Sustran’s wider work. I am really grateful to the South and East Cornwall Local Action Group for their support”.
George Trubody, Cornwall Councillor for the Rame Peninsula and Joint Chair of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park Joint Committee, said: “It is great news that we are now able to launch this LEADER funded cycle route between Cremyll and Cawsand. The Rame Peninsula is one of the least visited sections of Cornwall, but also very important for its scenic beauty and environment. Developments like this cycle route will help us to attract visitors to Rame without the disbenefits that can go hand in hand with more visitors including the need for bigger car parks and dealing with congestion during busy periods”.
About the Cornwall AONB
The Cornwall AONB (www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk) is a Partnership of 22 organisations that are working together to protect and enhance Cornwall’s most outstanding landscapes that include Bodmin Moor, Penwith, the Lizard, North Cornwall and large parts of the south coast including Rame Head. The Cornwall AONB is core funded by Defra, Cornwall Council and the National Trust and 2019 was our Diamond Jubilee year.