'The door is open!' Shipwreck, decoy docks and secret WW2 bunker Circular walk Porthallow, Cornwall
In this video we start our walk in the village community of Porthallow on the Lizard peninsula, near St Keverne. The village has a vast grey, shingle beach with easily spotted architecture from the past.
A short walk from the village, is the shipwreck site of the Bay of Panama. In March 1891, a deadly blizzard wrecked this ship on its way from Calcutta to Dundee carrying bales of jute. The captain and his wife ware swept overboard and others clung to the rigging, in blizzard conditions, hoping for rescue before they froze to death. Learn of the heroic deeds of Joseph Hendy James to alert the shipping agent in Falmouth.
Did you know that Nare Point was a decoy dock in World War 2? But is there any evidence to show it's heroic past?
The WW2 bunker that controlled the site is situated a short walk away at Lestowder cliffs but will it be too overgrown to gain access?
The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZhead, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
Frequently asked questions:
What camera do we use?
Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII
How do I find the books you use?
Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.
Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.
What is your dog’s name?
Sorry but we do not release the name of our dog, perhaps you can make up your own name for him.
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A perfect example as to why we follow you guys. History, scenery and jollity. That entrance made squeezy belly alley look like a cart track !
Hi Mike Barwell here , this was my play grond,I was born 1956 and lived at flushing cove at gillan creek.
Well, I never!! Hello!!! Thanks for your comment (and the graffiti!) and brilliant to hear from you! Sarah :)
I lived at Gillan as a child ,late 1950s & we played all over the cliffs from Nare point to Gillan beach. The bunker was our "headquarters". Havent been there for years. x x
Happy memories! Sarah :)
What a very interesting walk. Fascinating stories of bravery on lots of levels. The butchers boy with his determined walk to alert authorities to the ship wreck & the stories of WW2. all very brave men & I am sure women. A video well worth a watch - Very enjoyable. Thank you
Loved this video..as a child I lived just around the coast at porthoustock ..that walk was just the sort of thing we got up to ,exploring old buildings & going home bramble scratched..thank you so much for bringing back lovely memories xxx
A childhood is not well spent without a few adventures into spooky, abandoned buildings! Sarah :)
Bit of an adventure today! Nothing better than finding an almost inaccessible bunker on the cliffs, but doing it anyway! Very interesting history. Love all your old books and the way you align the old photos with the new vista. And who could have missed that look on your fab doggy's face transfixed on Andrew's sandwich along the way! The Intrepid Three's Adventures in Cornwall (almost an Enid Blyton book title!)........ I look forward to them each and every week. x J x
Hi Judy, Yes this was a good one! And we really enjoy our adventures! Sarah :)
So many interesting aspects to this walk! Shipwrecks are fascinating to me. The field of daffodils was also a nice surprise. I've certainly experienced my share of berry brambles (and rose bushes). On a vacation to Germany we discovered (I say this because we weren't looking for them, but my Hubby, a WWII history nerd, recognized them from photos) sections of the Sigfried Line AKA The Dragon's Teeth, which were formed from rows of waist high concrete barriers meant to stop invading tanks. We piled out of the car to investigate, and found a damaged bunker nearby, all in a green field full of cows. I love your adventures. :)
Absolutely fantastic so informative full of humour and interest ,,,,,,,,Brian&Jane
Glad you think so! Sarah :)
Nice clear shot of my boat on the beach. Reminding me that she needs a fair bit of work in the next few days. Glad you enjoyed the village.
So funny!! With a bit of fine weather - consult john's weatherstone - it will be spick and span in no time!! Sarah :)
Wow what a fasinating story especially about the young boy Joe . When you walk along the costal path you'd never guess what happened below you so thank you for researching and sharing ❤️😊
Hi Sarah and Andrew, very interesting video and as always lovely scenery. Thanks again.
Our pleasure! Sarah :)
Brilliant as always!! Did you know that I often AS OATES...... It's otherwise known as porridge for breakfast! ... Lol ! : ) But that young Cornishman! ... What a hero!! ... It brings a lump to my throat, and I can't imagine anyone of that age doing such a thing these days if it were needed. And Q.I. has been my favourite show to watch ever since the very first episode back in September 2003. It's ALWAYS MORE than Quite Interesting, it is often Very Interesting! ... And Stephen Fry was and still is more than Quite Clever, he is a GENIUS!! A National Treasure that no pirate can smuggle away from us!
Agree!! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails Outstanding! : ) xxx
Fascinating shipwreck history and WWII story.
Hi Sarah and Andrew, I have done that walk so many times with various Doggies over the years that we have stayed in "Pralla" but I have never found the bunker. I will definitely have to try again some time this year when we are down. Beware of the 5 Pilchards it seems to be some sort of time trap where you go in with all the best intentions of only having a quick pint and then emerge many hours later with complete memory loss. LOL 🍻🍻🍻🍺🍺🍺😄😄😄 Thanks for another great walk.
LOL! 5 Pilchards it is then!! Sarah :)
CWT 2022! Great video guys.
Yes! Thank you! Sarah :)
Many a time i have looked from the coast path at Mawnan church and wondered what that little building was at Nare point , now i know, wonderful film.
Mystery solved! Sarah :)
Lovely footage thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it, Sarah :)
Tx for doing these videos ❤
So so envious of you guys. Living perfect life in cornwall,everything on your doorstep😍😍😍
It is the perfect escape at the end of a week! Sarah :)
Hello My friend watching here a new friend from Bulacan phillipines thumpslove done
Fascinating guys...thanks so much for such an interesting video again 👌🙏. Going to St Anthony's Head tomorrow to do the walk you did in your last video...hoping for fine weather 🍀👍🌅😁😘
oh brilliant! Hope you had a great day! Sarah :)
Love this video. Beautiful coastline, military history and heroism.
Loved this, very interesting. Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it! Sarah :)
Hi Sarah and Andrew. Really love your walk today sea view shipwreck and war history so interesting. I loved seeing the inside of the bunker although I know I wouldn't be able to get down into it. Thankyou for doing so.
I was pretty determined to get in there! Sarah :)
Love watching these walks, so informative. Hope you never run out of places to visit.
I think we will go back again and do them in reverse!! Sarah :)
Love all the different coves and beaches in this area looks a fun place to explore.i see they hire kayaks too that woukd be awesome in the summer.Great share have a good weekend 🙂👍
What a fascinating video, thank you so much, there is so much amazing history around which we would never have heard of without you guys, thank you.
Thank you! Our pleasure! Sarah :)
Just been staying in Gillan. Sadly the path from Nare Point to Gillan is now impassable due to a collapsed bridge meaning the only legal way to Nare Point is from P'rallow and then to retrace your steps. BW John
Still closed! Such a shame! When we consulted the map, it seemed almost impossible using footpaths. One to avoid still! Sarah :)
Hi Sarah and Andrew, that was a very interesting video, especially the story of the wreck and in particular the young butcher's boy who risked his life battling through the storm, at times on his hands and knees to get a warning message through to Falmouth. Also the story of the WW2 bunker. I had to laugh when Andrew turned around and asked you if you had brought the secateurs. 😄
Like Mary Poppins!! A bag full of every thing you could imagine! Sarah :)
I absolutely love your walks and your company every video. I find your video's highly interesting, it really relaxes me and the countryside and view's are amazing. Keep up your good work. A fan jill from Leeds xxx
Thank you! Sarah :)
Another great walk. Interesting history abut the tragic wreck and the WW2 base to draw away the German bombers from the port. Loved the history element. It will be sad when the land reclaims the lookout. Hopefully it can be retained for future generations to access. Great job both.. and your beautiful spaniel of course👍🐾
A great walk! Sarah :)
I just love watching your walks. I feel like I am in Cornwall experiencing all its beauty. Someday I would love to go.
Glad you like them! Sarah :)
Hi, thks for the video. Not far from where you were in your shelter towards Gillian is another very impressive extensive nuclear bunker (in private ownership) built actually in the late 1960s..for next time.
Love your walks. History is a bonus. Thanks.
I live on the North Coast, I used to walk a lot until I had an accident now I'm in a mobility scooter when I go out ,I wish you would think about on your travels if the walks are suitable for scooters or wheelchairs it would be marvellous. Have you been to Boobies bay on the North Coast? At low tide you can see the ship wreck . How very interesting about the decoy Falmouth and that brave lad in the blizzard. Great stuff thank you both ☺ cheers !
A great walk, thank you! And yes, we have been to Boobies Bay, near Trevose Head. As for accessibility, I think we show the path and various aspects, like steps, stiles, mud etc, enough for you to decide if it is possible for you or too challenging. Everyone's mobility is different, whether able bodied or in a wheelchair and it is not for us to recommend a walk on that basis. Sarah :)
Interesting walk....ideal bunker to wild camp, party etc. obviously leaving no trace. Make a nice home if was allowed 👍
A nice home! Indeed! About £4million, give or take??!?! Sarah :)
What amazing history you have unearthed during your walk today, ‘Porthallow’ beach looked stunning, the story of the horrendous ship wreck, the Brave young man that walked many miles in a blizzard, the Naval Bombing Decoy, I hate to say I remember hearing about them, they had one or two decoy villages around Britain, and you found the bomb depressions Sarah, well done, but to my horror when Andrew found the door open to that bunker, I thought he would be invading the home of many eight legged beasties, which I hate, couldn’t look when you joined him Sarah, you crazy intrepid travellers go to great lengths for our enjoyment, but I suggest you put some secateurs,in your pocket before you go! thanks for a very enjoyable outing full of information and good humour, 😊🤗👋
Andrew was more worried about rats and maybe an adder coiled up in the nice dry corner of the bunker! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails yes that would have been a possibility, but spiders bother me more, years ago I worked for my local vet, I was always In fear of someone bringing one in, one day a lady came in with a very long large Indian Python, I had no trouble handling that it was beautiful and friendly thank goodness, but midway through the consultation she said it hadn’t eaten for about six month, I quickly past it back to the vet and took my leave! another time a lady brought in her pet black hairy spider I almost fainted, 😳no way was I going to handle that! 🥴
@@bernicebest Love your stories! Bernice for breakfast! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails Thank you Sarah, I love your walking trails, they always bring back wonderful memories, have made many friends through the ‘Outlander’ Series, some really special ones, from Florida, Alaska, New Jersey, Bavaria and many more, they also say they love to hear them, when you get to my age there are many to share! take care, see you soon on your next adventure 🤗👋
Thanks you two , an interesting walk.
Very interersting video 🙂 And thank you for negotiating the brambles to show us this building. Looking forward to walking this path in June 🙂. Greetings from a (hopefully temporary) rainy and windy Spain at Costa Blanca 🙂
Very interesting video thank you 🙏
Our pleasure! Sarah :)
Wonderful....always a Mini Vaccation with you two...i wonder if one of the Servicemen from this Bunker is still alive and could tell the Story.... 🤷🏼♂️ Take Care...Dagmar 🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️❤
That would be a wonderful conversation! Sarah :)
Lovely interesting walk.
Once again a fascinating video, a new place for me to explore in June ! I love watching videos about abandoned buildings so this is perfect , Cornwall and an abandoned building ! I think the hatch was used for observation , . Possibly the man up top relayed the info down to the controller ,or maybe he took a control panel up with him ?? I love a mystery !! 👍🏴🥟🥟🥟🥟
I think the hatch mystery was solved by the info in the walk book, it suggested it was used for the periscope! Fabulous! Sarah :)
Great watching you two intrepid explorers !!!!
Thanks 👍 Sarah :)
Hiya we watch your videos all the time. What canon camera is it u use please? xx
Is that the Cornish "Georgia guidestones" @ 3.16...lol. Love from Galicia. p.s. I'd love to go on a walk with you two. :)
Why is there a sign, saying “Flushing 3,25 m.” ? Are there 2 Flushings in Cornwall?
Might be the "other" flushing toilet in Cornwall? Oh these modern times lol 😂
I know the Flushing opposite Falmouth is named so after “Vlissingen” in the Netherlands. Is there a ‘dutch’ connection to the other Flushings?
Is it ok to walk through fields? Going after 12/3 first visit to Cornwall. Granddaughter picked March.
Only if it is a designated footpath, or you could be trespassing. We were not sure on this walk, it was not clear but generally footpaths are well marked! Sarah :)
where's your next Video?
Where can I get a copy of the book?
Not sure which of the three you mean but they are all secondhand. Please try the internet for a second hand copy, Sarah :)
Hello
Very interesting video again, thank you both !! Great trick to fool (us) german 🤭🤫
Our pleasure!