Events

Battle of Lostwithiel 1644

Sunday 31st August 2025

Join Gary Chilcott and Charles Cordell to explore the King’s most decisive victory – a battle involving four armies and a navy, fought across ten square miles over ten long days – with two walks:

Morning walk around Lostwithiel discussing the tightening royalist siege, the breakout of Essex's horse and the explosion that destroyed St Bartholomew's Church and much of the town.

Meeting point for this first walk will be at Lostwithiel Community Centre, Pleyber Christ Way, PL22 0HA at 10:30. Car parking is usually available in Pleyber Christ Way. The walk will aim to end at Lostwithiel Bridge at about 12:30.

Afternoon walk to Castle Dore and discussion of the parliamentarian withdrawal into the Fowey peninsula, navy re-supply, the battle across Tywardreath – Castle Dore – Gollant and the final surrender of Essex's army. This will include an explanation of new evidence of a wider battle.

The meeting point for this second (short) walk will be at Castledore (OS: SX 104547), at 14:00. Car parking (in a field) will be kindly provided by the farmer. It is possible that cattle will be encountered during the walk and/or at Castle Dore.

Unfortunately, in order to manage car parking and safety, each of these walks will be limited to 20 walkers. Please contact Charles Cordell for more information and to book places using the contact details below.

For further information.

• Contact name : Charles Cordell
• Contact email : quartermaster@charlescordell.com