Helston to Loe Bar

26th November 2013

Loe Bar consists of 2 parts; The Loe, the largest natural fresh water lake in Cornwall and the Bar, a half-mile shingle bank which separates the Loe from the sea.

Wrapped around Loe Pool is the Penrose Estate, which is owned by the National Trust. Loe Pool is circled by paths and woodland walks, this area attracts wildlife and is a popular spot for bird watching. 

Loe Bar was originally the mouth of the River Cober, which led to a harbour in Helston, but by the 13th century the bar had cut Helston off from the sea and formed the pool. The bar is made up mostly of flint, there is also a reasonable extent of sand between the Pool and the bar. 
Loe Bar has a well-earned reputation for being treacherous, the combination of powerful waves, a steep slippery shingle bank and vicious currents make it a very dangerous stretch of beach. (www.visitorcornwall.com).

Parking in Helston I walked along the River Cober in the autumn sunshine and through an ancient wet willow woodland.

 To prevent flooding the riverbanks of the Cobur have been canalized, this has had a detrimental effect on the ancient Willow Carr, which is drying out and dying. 

A 2-mile walk through the Penrose estate leads you out onto the beach at Loe Bar. Although it was fairly sunny the light was a little flat, and these images have been used to illustrate the area only.  I am hoping to go back again to reshoot with better lighting and the use of filters.

However, the reflections in Loe Pool were really interesting.

Loe bar beach is a barrier beach; the shingle has been pushed up to cut off the River Cobur which used to run out into the sea in an estuary. The lake is controlled to prevent flooding which has had an effect on the eco system. On the bar you can find Sea Urchin and sea holly, neither is in flower at this time of year.