Stithians: Lakes, Trails and Culture in West Cornwall

Lakes, trails and special experiences in Stithians

Stithians combines experiences in nature by the water with an impressive local history. Stithians Lake is the largest inland body of water in West Cornwall and gives a stay a clear landscape focus. Added to this are a traditional show, a historic church, traces of the industrial age, and opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bicycle. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Stithians can therefore tailor their travel plans well to their own interests: water, trails, events, history or regional cuisine can take centre stage.

Stithians Lake: circular route, cycle path and fly fishing

At Stithians Lake, fly fishing is permitted both from the shore and from a boat. This opens up different possibilities for a day by the water without requiring you to commit to just one type of stay. For walks, there is a circular route of just under five miles. A cycle path also runs along the northern shore. Take these different routes into account when planning your day and trip if you are choosing between a day by the water, a walk and a cycle ride.

Local facilities are also part of the lake’s appeal: the Farm to Fork Café at Stithians Lake serves high-quality, locally produced products from Cornwall. At the lake, a campsite offers grass pitches, pitches with electric hook-ups and three glamping bell tents. These different options show that the lake can be experienced not only as a landscape but also as a destination in its own right.

Tradition and entertainment at the Stithians Show

The Stithians Show was founded in 1834 as a challenge by local parishioners to the quality of produce and livestock. To this day, it represents a varied mix of displays and demonstrations, animals, a funfair, historic vehicles, food and crafts. Stalls selling products from local producers add to the offering. At the Stithians Show, visitors can watch or take part in classes ranging from pigeons to show jumping.

Music is also part of the event: the Stithians Show hosts live music on its Main Stage and at the Buskers’ Corner Pop-Up Festival. Depending on your interests, this makes it possible to combine a stay in Stithians with regional tradition, entertainment and culinary impressions. Although the show was founded in 1834, you should check its individual programme items for the relevant dates of your trip.

Discover the church and industrial history

The Church of St Stythian preserves a substructure of the chancel probably dating from the 13th century; otherwise, the fabric dates from the 15th century. St Stythian is also a stop on the Mining Villages Trail. For travellers who enjoy combining historic places with physical activity, this provides another way to engage with the region’s history.

Kennall Vale, through which the river flows, contains numerous ruins from Cornwall’s 19th-century industrial age. The Gunpowder works at Kennall Vale preserve an unusually complete series of relatively well-preserved features. Another historic detail is the gateway approximately 15 metres east of the Church of St Stedian. It includes gate piers and gates from the early 19th century, as well as stone benches and a coffin rest.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel theme

When looking for holiday accommodation in Stithians, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip first. Those who want to spend as much time as possible by the water can look to the facilities around Stithians Lake. For days centred on culture and history, the Church of St Stythian, the Mining Villages Trail and the traces of Kennall Vale may be decisive. The Stithians Show, in turn, adds a distinctive event focus. This way, you choose your accommodation not just by the place name but by the type of holiday you want to experience in Cornwall.

Discover more places

For additional travel ideas, you can also explore White Cross, Porthleven, St Teath, Gooseham, Saint Gennys, Feock, Launceston and Saint Issey.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cornwall.