Godolphin’s Barefoot Trail Reopens After Storm Goretti Repairs

Something unexpected has grown out of the wreckage left by Storm Goretti at one of West Cornwall’s most-loved family spots. Timber from hundreds of fallen trees has been given a second life, and families can walk across it from this weekend.

Godolphin’s Barefoot Trail reopens on Saturday 25th April after a full refresh, with more changes planned for the months ahead.

📷Exploring the Barefoot Trail at Godolphin, Cornwall

A favourite made bigger

The Barefoot Trail first opened at Godolphin in 2012, one of the earliest of its kind across the National Trust. It invites visitors to kick off their shoes and feel the ground beneath them, moving through different textures as they go. Over the years it has become a staple of family trips to the estate.

January’s Storm Goretti changed the picture. Hundreds of trees came down across the site, forcing teams to close areas and clear the damage. Rather than replace what was lost with new materials, staff turned to the timber already on the ground.

Local craftsman Tom David, of Naturally Green, has used fallen beech and sycamore to rebuild the trail. The updated route brings in new features designed to work the senses, with future plans looking at sound, scent and natural materials alongside the textures underfoot.

📷Beginning of the Barefoot Trail at Godolphin, Cornwall

New play area in the orchard

The storm also brought down large ash and sycamore trees in the orchard, and that space is now earmarked for a new natural play area. The fallen timber will be used to build features for children and young people to climb on, explore and play around.

Jade Bone, Senior Visitor Experience Officer for the National Trust in West Penwith, said Storm Goretti had been tough on the team but had opened a door.

“Storm Goretti had a huge impact here, and it’s been a challenging time for the team. But it’s also given us an opportunity to do something really positive,” Jade said.

“The Barefoot Trail has always been a favourite with families, and being able to rebuild it using timber from the storm has made it feel even more connected to this place. It’s about encouraging people to slow down, get outside and experience nature in a really hands-on way.”

She added that the team was looking forward to welcoming visitors back and building on the work with further play spaces for children.

The Barefoot Trail reopens on Saturday 25th April. More information is available on the National Trust’s Godolphin page.

📷Easter Trail at Godolphin

📷Beginning of the Barefoot Trail at Godolphin, Cornwall

📷Exploring the Barefoot Trail at Godolphin, Cornwall