WALK four: one red river

a meeting of many Cornwalls: exploring the biological and cultural ecotones at the river’s mouth.

This walk sets out from and returns to Godrevy beach. 

Begin on the beach at the river’s mouth, the exact location can be found using what3words - pelt.twinkling.documents. Trace your way back inland along the river to the road bridge, from where you can see the remains of St Gothian’s chapel. Then cross back into the Red River Nature Reserve site of a former industrial sandworks and head west, crossing once more to seek out the streams in the Gwithian Green nature reserve before heading out into the dunes. Follow the stone waymarkers towards Hayle or explore freely until you reach the remains of the major explosives factory. Finally your way down to the beach, walking along its length until you are back at the starting point.

For the event we were joined by Karen-Hudson Edwards, Professor in Sustainable Mining at the University of Exeter, artists Naomi Frears and Mollie Goldstrom who have been commissioned to make new work in response to the river and Falmouth University BA Hons Fine Art graduate Beth Clayton, who is also producing a creative response. The walk was documented by Falmouth University BA Hons Photography graduate Jasper Fell-Clark.