Lerryn, From Approach 1893

Photo ref: 32566

In the previous two years we'd had our holiday in South Devon, but in 1958, for some reason, my father decided we would stay in Lerryn, & booked himself, mother & I into a B&B (possibly The Old Forge?) by the river. I was 11 at the time, & it was decided that my older brother would stay at home in London & look after the dog & two cats, so I was going to be on holiday for the first time without ...see more

As a 10 year old and London evacuee Lerryn became home for a while. First being billeted at a retired naval captain's house by the river near the bridge. His name I believe was Capt. Pippit or similar. He owned a small motor launch moored up the river which was great fun to play on. One day it  disappeared which later in life realised it was taken for Dunkirk. Sad to say it never returned. I can recall ...see more

I have such fond memories of growing up in Lerryn during the 1960s, the school was such a pleasure to attend, Mr Sillitoe was headmaster. I can also remeber the regatta every year, it was such a treat to have the fair assembled along the riverbank with mud races in the river. I can even remember a dancing horse and other entertainment in the Ethy house gardens. The two shops were owned by Mr Mansell and most of my ...see more

Lerryn is a place that one almost wants to keep secret so that it does not become a popular destination. It has barely changed in a hundred years. A beautiful and unspoilt village in a steep sided valley, Lerryn lies at the tidal head of a tributary to the River Fowey. A place to take gentle strolls through the National Trust's Ethy Wood, said to be the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's "Tales of the Riverbank" and ...see more