Restronguet Creek

Restronguet Creek east of Devoran

Sailing boats moored in Restronguet Creek

Penpol Creek, an inlet on the north bank of Restronguet Creek

Restronguet Creek is a tidal inlet on the south coast of Cornwall, forming the estuary of the Carnon River. The creek is tributary to the Carrick Roads, the deepwater estuary of the River Fal.

Restronguet Creek is to be found approximately four miles south of Truro and three miles north of Falmouth.

The creek is approximately two miles long from its Normal Tidal Limit to its mouth and half-a-mile across at its widest point. It discharges into Carrick Roads at Restronguet Point through a narrow channel known locally as 'the gut'.

Restronguet Creek forms the boundary between the civil parishes of Feock (on the north bank), Mylor (at the eastern end of the south bank), and Perranarworthal (at the western end of the south bank).

At its upstream end, Restronguet Creek is fed by two freshwater rivers: the Carnon River from the northwest and the River Kennall from the southwest. The Carnon’s normal tidal limit is immediately upstream of Devoran where the A39 trunk road crosses the river, while that of the Kennall is at Perran Wharf. A smaller stream from the north discharges into Penpol Creek at Chycoose: Penpol Creek then opens into Restronguet Creek.

Industrial past

Until the beginning of the 20th century, Restronguet Creek (and its tributary rivers) played an important role in the tin and copper mining industry. Devoran was a small port engaged in the export of mined minerals and the import of mining materials and coal.

The Redruth and Chasewater Railway, an early industrial line which served the many mines a few miles to the north, terminated at Devoran (although there was an extension to Point Quay on Restronguet Creek; trains were hauled by horses rather than locomotives on the extension). There were also wharves and quays at the head of Penpol Creek.

At low water, large expanses of mudflats are exposed and recent academic study suggests the mud still bears evidence of mineral contamination by former mining activity further upstream.

Leisure

Today, Restronguet Creek, Carrick Roads and Cornwall's English Channel coast are popular for yachting and dinghy racing. Restronguet Sailing Club takes its name from the creek although it is located a mile south at Mylor Harbour.

'The Restronguet Creek Society' is a voluntary organisation formed in 1972 to protect and preserve the creek and its environs. The organisation opposes unsuitable development and, in particular, any construction or activity that would cause further silting.

Locations

• Normal Tidal Limit at Devoran: 50°12’47"N, 5°5’56"W   SW789393
• Penpol Creek (north bank): 50°12’24"N, 5°4’0"W   SW812387
• Restrongruet Passage (south bank): 50°11’44"N, 5°3’55"W   SW811375
• Mouth (Restronguet Point): 50°11’32"N, 5°3’23"W   SW821366

Maps

• Location map: 50°12’10"N, 5°4’16"W