If you fancy going for an amble, what better place than on a Cornish footpath? There are many popular walks, some on the coast, some inland. Take your pick. We'll even give those muddy boots a wash when you get back!

Short walks

Par Beach and pond (30-40 mins) - turn right out of front gate, and first right down the footpath path signposted 'beach'. Cross the private road to enter the campsite, and either turn left to go past the tennis courts and bowling green to walk around the pond, or straight ahead to reach the beach. You will see ducks, coot, moorhens, reed warblers and swans on the pond - look out for the mallard/muscovy cross ducks and the herons on the central island. On the beach you may see herring and black-headed gulls, and oystercatchers. Look out for cormorants and shags further out which used to command a bounty per head from Mevagissey fish merchants, as they eat their own weight in fish per day.

The duckpond (30 mins) - go straight over the road past the telephone kiosk. Keep straight on past the running track and railway station. There is an entrance just over the bridge on the left. There is again plenty of birdlife around the pond (the swans can often be seen flying from one pond to another with the unique sound of their wings). A good spot to sit and contemplate.

Longer walks

Polkerris (1-2 hrs) - continue walking from the end of the beach up over the cliffs (access from the car park up some steps) to Polkerris (30 mins). There is a good pub (Rashleigh) for a drink or a meal. Return the way you came or up over the hill and turn left at the top to come back down into Par (40 mins). Alternatively, you can walk right around the cliffs to Fowey (4-5 hrs) and catch the bus back from the Safe Harbour pub.

Charlestown (1-2hrs) - turn left and walk right down down Par Green, under the bridge, and turn left at the end of the road. Follow the road around to the China Clay port and look for the path just before the bridge. This will bring you to the cliff path to Carlyon Bay across the golf course. Pass the Carlyon Bay Hotel along the cliff path which leads to Charlestown . There are beautiful, much-filmed old ships in the dock and a heritage centre as well as a good pub (Rashleigh) for lunch. The harbour was used for filming TV and films, such as The Eagle Has Landed, A Respectable Trade and The Three Musketeers.

Luxulyan Valley (2-3hrs) - turn left and walk down Par Green, under the bridge and follow the canal off to the right which will lead you to Pontsmill at the edge of the valley. (See Bob Acton's Walk 10 in his Circular Walks from Pentewan to Par.) Or you could park at Ponts Mill and walk up to the viaduct and along the leat to Carmears waterwheel then back down to Pontsmill.

Photos © Copyright Simon Lewis www.westcountryviews.co.uk