The Gannel Estuary

Things to do · Newquay

About The Gannel Estuary

The Gannel is the tidal river that separates Newquay from Crantock on the south side of the town, a wide sandy channel at low water that fills to a broad lake at high tide. Until the late 19th century it was a working waterway, shipping iron ore out from the Great Perran lode and bringing Welsh coal in for the Truro smelters; at low tide you can still see old quays, steps and mooring rings on the western shore at Penpol, once grandly called the Port of Truro, and Tregunnel on the Newquay side built ships of up to 250 tons. Today it is saltmarsh, important for wading birds and salt-tolerant plants. Crossing points are all tide-dependent: the Fern Pit ferry below Pentire runs in season when the river is too deep to wade, the Penpol Creek footbridge is usable up to about three hours from high tide, and the Trenance tidal footbridge further up to about an hour and a half from high tide. If none is available the detour via Trevemper adds about three miles. Wading or swimming in the channel is dangerous. The 4.5 mile circular walk from the National Trust car park at Crantock (TR8 5RB) to Newquay and Fistral and back is a good way to see it; check tide tables before you go.

Good to know

• Tidal estuary between Newquay and Crantock; now saltmarsh habitat for wading birds
• Former working waterway for iron ore and coal until the late 19th century
• Crossings at Fern Pit ferry, Penpol Creek footbridge and Trenance footbridge are all tide dependent
• Wading or swimming the Gannel is dangerous
• 4.5 mile circular walk from Crantock car park TR8 5RB, graded moderate