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CORNWALL REVIEWS INDEX and SITE CONTENTS

Introductory Guide
What's New?
Oliver's Cornwall Walking Pages
Homes
Gardens
Museums & Galleries
Countryside
Holy Sites & Churches
Antiquities
Castles
Towns & Villages
Miscellanea
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© Copyright Oliver Howes 2017
This page updated 28 February 2017
Over the years this web site has become less of a visitors guide to Cornwall and more of a walkers guide.  I still retain my interest in - and pages about - homes, gardens, holy places, museums, antiquities etc.  However, now I like to include them, where possible, as interest during the many walks I have researched for the new face of this site.  Since 2009 I have re-walked the whole of the Cornish Coast Path and uploaded it complete with all the interest along the way.  I have re-walked all the Mining Trails and Clay Trails - and added a few of my own.  I have completed a series of 40 Round Walks from the Coast - and am adding more to that page (now 45).  I have uploaded 28 Round Walks on Bodmin Moor.  I have also designed my own round trail in West Penwith, utilising the Zennor Churchway and the Tinners Way.  Since 2014 I have been researching a new series of Inland Round Walks (18 done).  Everything is now grouped on a new headline page called Oliver's Cornwall Walking Pages, where you will also find links to the Land's End Trail, to the several Coast-to-Coast Trails and to other Countryside pages. 

A number of oldish items but some newer ones immediately below

Altarnun Revisited
In late February 2017 Bob suggested an outing to visit Altarnun church, a church dedicated to St. Nonna, mother of St. David, patron saint of Wales.  I sugggested adding to this climbing nearby Fox Tor on East Moor.  I had never been inside the church before and was glad to now for its 79 superb early bench ends, including one recording the maker himself.  I was also able to add a Cornish Cross to my list before we headed off to Eastmoorgate to climb Fox Tor, a fairly steep 200 foot ascent with views to Dartmoor.  Finally coffee in the pleasant Kings Head at Five Lanes.
Another Visit to The Lizard
In late February 2017 I returned to The Lizard.  My main purpose was to visit the church at Mawgan-in-Meneage for the Daffodil Festival (photo right).  But first I decided to take another look at Helston, where I had not been since April 2007.  Helston is a steep small town with many attractive streets and buildings.  Here I was looking for Cornish Crosses and found two, one in Cross Street, the other in St. Michael's churchyard.  I was surprised by the Georgian interior of the church.  After Mawgan, I took a look at St. Martin where, to my disappointment, the church was locked.
Cornish Crosses
November and December 2016 and January 2017 have been my months for Cornish Crosses.  I encountered three in and around Camborne Church, one at St. Enoder, one in the garden of Bodwannick Manor (right), roadside near Higher Woodley and on the Old Coach Road from Lanivet.  In St. Petroc's Chuirch Padstow I found one cross near the porch, the base and part-shaft of another by the south gate and the head of another near the font.  More came at Gerrans church, at St. Dennis and St. Stephen.  In 2017 more at Towednack, Zennor and Lelant.  I shall keep looking.
Some more Towns and Villages
In late December 2016 I revisited St. Mawgan, primarily to find a Cornish Cross that I had missed before in the grounds of the Convent.  Then in early January 2017 I visited Gulval near Penzance for its church and Cornish Crosses and to see the Coldstreamer Inn.  I also visited Ludgvan for more crosses and for coffee in the White Hart pub.  A little later I was at remote Golden (photo right).  The same day I spent time in Tregony, an unusual steep one-street village.  Outstanding features were the almshouses (photo left), the clock tower and the excellent Kings Arms pub, where I enjoyed coffee.
A Church in China Clay Country
I decided to re-visit St. Denys church in the second week of December 2016.  A better day enabled me to get some improved photos, including one of the massive and controversial new incinerator (photo to right) close to St. Dennis town in the valley below.  From the church you also have views of Wheal Remfry china clay pit and the enormous Indian Queens electrical sub-station on the western edge of Goss Moor.  I drove through Clay Country, past open pits and vast works to St. Stephen.  The church was locked!  I had previously been there for the remarkable China Stone works in the scenic Tregargus valley.
A Church near Penhale, and a bit of Camborne
The first week of December 2016 and the search for Cornish Crosses took me to St. Enoder (picture left) where there is one just inside the gate, to Higher Woodley, to Bodwannick Manor and to Camborne.  Bodwannck Manor has a fine one in its front grden. At Camborne church, where we went to see a Christmas Tree Festival, I found two in the churchyard.  I also saw a Thrussell & Thrussell Thorn Tree in Wetherspoons there, in he New Market House (right).  I also looked at  the church above St. Dennis and have a report on that.
Towns and Villages
In late Novenber 2016 I took a look at two very different villages, Warleggan on the southern fringes of Bodmin Moor and Roche, more small town than village, just to the south of Cornwall's main A30 highway.  Warleggan is a one-street, or rather one-lane, village, set on a hill.  The church is of little significance but does have a Cornish Cross by the porch.  Nearby a house was converted from the village "Band Room".  The former village pump stands before an attractive cottage.  Roche has two pubs, shops and fish-and-chips.  Its church has a large Cornish Cross in the graveyard.
The Saints Way and St. Petrocs Padstow
I had recently received a complimentary copy of Emma J Wells Pilgrim Routes of the British Isles in which my photos feature in the chapter on the Saints Way.  Inspired by reading that chapter, I decided it was time to look again at parts of the route from Padstow to Fowey.  In late November 2016 I made a start on a bleak autumn day and was pelted by hail on the way to St.Petrocs church in Padstow.  While I enjoyed the interior, I was particularly pleased to find an early Cornish Cross and the base and part shaft of that must have been a massive cross.  Left a Saints Way stile, right St. Petrocs.
Carharrack, St. Day and Gwennap
The first Saturday in November 2016 saw me heading down the A30, turning off at Scorrier to visit St. Day, Gwennap Pit, Carharrack and Gwennap village.  Carharrack was the primary destination, continuing my search for Thrussell & Thrussell metalwork.  On the left is their Carharrack Park Playground Archway.  The playground contents entertain and inform.  I enjoyed St. Day, looking brighter and smarter than last time I saw it.  I photographed Gwennap Pit bathed in sunlight, then headed to Gwennap village for the church, pictured on the right but disappointingly closed.
Visits to the Launceston and St. Austell areas
At the very end of October 2016 I headed to the very east of Cornwall, to Launceston and right to the infant River Tamar.  In Launceston I found the Thrussell & Thrussell bandstand in the park behind the Phoenix Leisure Centre but was then frustrated to find St. Stephen's Church firmly bolted.  Continuing north I also found Werrington Church locked but in attractive Boyton I obtained the key to that interesting Church before heading over the Tamar into Devon for the beautifully set Boyton Mill.  In St. Austell I saw the Thrussells Penrice Cross and an unexpected longstone.  In Biscovey I found a headless Cornish Cross in the churchyard.
Thrussell and Thrussell - Artist Metalsmiths
We first encountered the work of Gary and Thomas Thrussell when walking the Clay Trails, centred around Bugle and Saint Austell.  Leaving Wheal Martyn southwards on the White River Trail and the trail to Eden, we encountered a metal chimney, photo right, incised with china clay industry related motifs.  The next encounter was Arachnathrone in St. Breward, photo left.  Then we found some Thrussell benches on Bodmin Beacon, more works at Weatherspoon pubs in St. Austell and Bodmin.  We have found yet more at schools in Wadebridge, St. Austell and Pensilva.  Later, in Launceston I found their Bandstand and, in St. Austell, their Penrice Cross. 
Villages - Linkinhorne and Stoke Climsland
My expedition to the Callington area made me realise that there is much more in that eastern part of Cornwall that I had never looked at in any detail.  So a late October 2016 took me to Linkinhorne and Stoke Climsland, both to the north of Callington.  Stoke Climsland had relatively little of interest to me, except for the ceilings in the parish church, see right.  Linkinhorne, however, I found much more interesting, particularly the old abandoned buildings of Church Farm below the church.  I was disappointed to find the Church House Inn closed and up for sale.
A Mid October outing to the Callington area
There was a lot I dadn't seen in Callington and the surrounding area.  So in mid October 2016 I headed east and first went to find Dupath Holy Well.  On my way to it had a pleasant surprise in West Harrowbarrow, where silver mine buildings, including an engine house, are now unusual homes.  I then stopped off in Merrymeet and St. Ive Churchtown.  Sadly Callington failed to impress.  The church was locked so I had to rely on Pevsner for information about it.  The two things that stick in the mind are the view to Kit Hill and the fascinating mural trail.
Early October 2016 -  Mount Edgcumbe
This one of our most favourite places in Cornwall:  an extensive estate jointly administered by Cornwall Council and the City of Plymouth.  There is an interesting (no more) house with lovely Earl's Garden, delightful American and New Zealand Gardens, glorious view across the Hamoaze and Plymouth Sound and good walking.  We had coffee in the Stables restaurant, walked up to the folly (left) and back along the water, then drove up to Maker Heights for a late lunch in our of our favourite eating places, Canteen, in a pair of wartime huts.
Late September 2016 - Feock, Kea, Old Kea
A late September outing, on a lovely sunny Saturday, took me to the other side of Truro and on past Playing Place to the attractive village of Feock.  First I walked down the hill to take a look at Loe Beach and was horrified by what I saw:  a scruffy shingly beach, large boat park, no car parking, beach café closed.  I seem to remember that it's OK in season.  Back up the hill to Feock, a complete contrast:  a charming church with two lych gates, separate bell tower, Cornish Cross and giant yew outside.  On to Old Kea (left), an intriguing little Victorian church;  then Kea (right) but the Victorian church was locked.
Villages, Churches and Cornish Crosses
In mid September 2016 I concentrated on villages to the north of Wadebridge, including their churches, several of them locations with Cornish Crosses - notably St. Kew, St. Teath, St. Mabyn and thr charming hamlet of Trequite.  While delighted to encounter so many crosses in one day, I was disappointed in some of the churches:  St. Kew, St. Tudyand St. Mabyn all lacking the expected carved bench ends.  This time I didn't eat n the St. Mabyn Inn which, I later discovered was on he market for just under £1 million. 
Three Towns and Villages - + two Churches
At the end of August 2016 I made an expedition north up the A39 to the Bude area. First stop the village of Kilkhampton, where the church has a superb collection of carved bench ends and where I had an excellent bacon roll in the New Inn.  On to Poughill (pronounced Puffle), a charming steep village with more fine church bench ends.  Finally to Stratton, where a convenient car park allowed me to walk up a steep interesting street to the church and some attractive nearby cottages.  The photos are of:  Stratton to the left, Poughill to the right.  Added early September:  Lansallos and Lanteglos-by Fowey.
Churches, Towns and Villages
I have been staying fairly locally again in early August 2016.  I took a look at Porth Reservoir but concluded it has nothing to offer except to anglers.  I went to visit Colan church but it was firnly locked.  I had more luck with St. Columb Major and its church, and with St. Columb Minor and its church.  In mid August I concentrated on Towns and Villages.  You will find new or revised reports on Bodwen, Lanivet, Lanlivery and Luxulyan
Mostly Churches and a most unusual Garden
Another fairly busy month in July 2016, again mostly visiting churches.  With one exception these were all in the general area of Padstow, the exception being Cardinham, between Bodmin and Bodmin Moor.  Padstow area churches were St. Issey, St. Merryn and St. Ervan, the first two fairly large and impressive, the third tiny and charming.  Down west I visited Madron (left) for church, Cornish crosses, holy well and chapel.  A rather different local outing was to meet Archdruid Ed Prynn and see his remarkable collection of stones, Prynnhenge.
Villages, Churches and a Garden
I seem to have had a pretty busy June as a result of which I have added 5 villages, 4 churches and one garden to the relevant pages.  Villages:  Creed, Grampound, Ladock, Probus,St. GermansChurches: Creed, Porthilly, St. Germans, and St. Minver. Gardens:  Just a small revision to Creed House Garden after a revisit.  Photographs here are of Porthilly church on the left and of Grampound on the right.  I hope, in what remains of this month, to visit St. Newlyn East and to revisit St. Mawgan.
Mevagissey and Gorran Churchtown
In mid-May 2016 I had an outing to Mevagissey and Gorran Churchtown.  The main purpose was to photograph Meva harbour with the tide in and the sun out.  The tide was kind but the sun failed me.  While hoping for the sun to appear I spent some time in Gorran Churchtown, partly for the church, partly to have a coffee in the recently re-opened and beautifully refurbished Barley Sheaf Inn, where the menu looks good if a little gastro-pubby for my taste.  After Churchtown I then parked at quiet Portmellon and walked over Polkirt Hill down to Mevagissey for sandwiches by the inner harbour.
Tintagel Castle
Early in May 2016 I decided to revisit Tintagel Castle.  Although I had passed it on several occasions while walking the Cornish Coast Path, I hjadn't actually climbed on to The Island since 2006.  Then I was 68 and the hundreds of steps presented little difficulty.  Now, at 78, all those steps proved more than I could comfortably cope with;  three days later I was still suffering from thigh strain.  It was worth it though;  my main reason for the excursion was to see Rubin Eynon's Gallos sculpture, pictured right.  It was well worth the effort.
Towns and Villages visited and re-visited
Many of my April outings have been to visit new villages.  The photo on the left is of the war memorial and church in Menheniot near Liskeard;  that on the right is of the Methodist church in Tywardreath.  Having visited Menheniot with Jane for a Norman Hartnell exhibition, I re-visited for myself;  a pleasant large village but an uninteresting church.  Tywardreath, on the other hand, is not only an attractive village, it also boasts an impressive church, with a fine and fairly unusual collection of bench ends.  There are some attractive houses and the New Inn looks promising.
Polperro revisited, Duloe visited first time
In March 2016 I chose a fine sunny day to spend some time in Polperro.  It's a strange place.  Its long main street is filled with attractive cottages, and its attractive harbour always has at least some small boats, fishing or recreational.  In the season you can scarcely move for all the people;  out of season it has an oddly abandoned air with so many shops and cafés closed.  Duloe could not be more different.  Just south of the village are a fascinating church, a holy well and a tiny stone circle.  This felt like another world yet, as the crow flies, I was only 5 miles from Polperro.
Three towns, one village and a church
In late February and early March 2016, I revisited one town, visited a new one and added a tiny village. Launceston was better than I remembered with a superb church and some charming shop fronts. Liskeard I visited again on a sunnier day.  I had first been there on my own on a dull day.  Jane and I were there on a sunny one;  it was far more interesting than I had expected.  I walked around Warbstowbury hill fort on my way to Warbstow, a tiny hamlet of just church and farm.  Little Petherick church, not far from home, proved to be an unexpected delight.
Seaton on the south-east Cornwall coast
Mid-February for this visit and, like the Week St. Mary visit below, I managed to choose a rare sunny day, as you can see from the photos.  I had only previously see Seaton (not to be confused with the one in Devon) in the course of research for my Cornish Coast Path page.  I walked on the beach (mostly blue-grey pebbles), walked in the adjacent Country Park, and enjoyed a good strong Americano at the highly rated Beach Café.  Note also the good value Smugglers Inn and the attractive modern Waves, pictured to the right.  And a new entry for Liskeard.
Week St. Mary
I visited Week St. Mary at the beginning of February, on one of the few days recently when the rain had stopped and the sun had come out.  My main reasoning for visiting was to take a look at the remains of a claimed Norman motte and bailey in the field adjacent to the church.  I was doubtful whether this a Norman earthwork, so ploughed out was it.  However I enjoyed the village square and St. Mary's church.  Inside are an unusual crudely carved octagonal font, a pulpit with linenfold panelling and a stall apparently made from the former rood screen. 
Bradoc and Lostwithiel
In mid-Jamuary 2016 I sought out remote and isolated Bradoc (or Braddock if you prefer) south of the road that links Liskeard and Lostwithiel.  It is a strange little place:  all that is there is a most attractive little church, a very large former rectory and a conversion of the coach house that went with it.  Across the fields is Penventon which appears to be a farm and outbuildings;  next time I am at Bradoc I shall check Penventon out and try to visit nearby Killboy Cornish Cross.  I have revisited Lostwithiel; the church was uninteresting but I liked Brunel Quays across the river.
Talland Bay, Talland and Porthallow villages
On one of the very few fine and sunny days of December 2015, after shopping at Trago and Solomons near Liskeard, we heacded for Talland Bay.  It's a strange place:  the two coves each have seasonal car parks and cafés but beaches are poor.  Inland are the tiny villages of Talland and Porthallow.  Talland has an interesting church, dedicated to St. Tallanus.  Porthallow (not to be confused with the one on the Lizard) has attractive cottages and the excellent Talland Bay Hotel, where we had an very good light lunch, while enjoying views of the sea beyond the hotel garden.
Poundstock, New Mill, Penfound - round walk
Poundstock, just off the main A39 to Bude, is one of my favourite places.  It is a charming small village with a great church and a medieval gildhouse, both pictured on the left.  A walk from its massive free car park takes in the tiny settlement of New Mill and the ancient Manor of Penfound.  It's only a short walk but, except in dry weather, going can be soft and muddy in places and a short stretch of stream may need wellies.  It it, however, worth it for Poundstock itself, for the barns of New Mill, for the glimpses of Penfound Manor and for the barns of Penfound Farm.
Linking round walks, Cubert, Perran Round
Yet again, I have taken my inspirtation from John Alden's excellent iwalkcornwall web site.  This time, however, I have split one of his 6 mile or so walks into two roughly 3 ½ mile round walks.  One starts from Cubert church, the other from Perran Round.  Both have in common a short stretch between North Treamble farm and Stampas farm.  Omitting this short link leaves you with John's 6.3 mile walk.  Mostly this is easy to moderate walking but there is a stiff climb back up to the Smugglers Den and Cubert.  Interest is in Cubert church, Perran Round and some enjoyable farms.
Round walk - St. Tudy, and Wetherham
Like the walk below, this one was also taken from John Alden's excellent and comprehensive iwalkcornwall web site.  This walk is not much over 2 miles so you have the opportunity for a thorough exploration of a lovely village before or after your walk.  You start at the war memorial in St. Tudy, cross fields to descend to a heavily wooded valley which leads you down past Wetherham.  Some lane, a field and more woods lead you back right past Wetherham Manor. More woods, then a lane that is little more than a tarmac track takes you back to St. Tudy.  A short, easy and enjoyable walk.
Bissoe, Baldhu and Billy Bray
In late July 2015 I did some walking in the mining area between Chacewater and Carnon Downs.  The first time I parked at Bissoe Bike Hire and did a walk of about 5½ miles that took me to Baldhu and back down past Wheal Jane, finishing on the Coast-to-Coast Mining Trail.  On the second occasion I started by walking between two locations associated with the famous Methodist preacher Billy Bray.  Then I parked again at Bissoe in order to find a better route down from Nangiles, its colourful tailings tip pictured right.
Megs's Page
You might guess from these two photos that Meg is a Border Collie who takes us for walks.  We have been walking her for our friend Chrissie for several years and we felt it was really time that Meg had her own page.  She tells us about who she is, what she does and where she takes her fans to walk.  Apart from Wadebridge where mostly she walks Jane, she also takes Oliver's Honda Jazz for a spin to places like Lanhydrock, Trelissick, the Penrose Estate near Helston, Polzeath for walks over a golf course to lunch, and along the beach to Rock to catch the ferry to Padstow.
St. Swithin's Church, Launcells
This remarkable church, described by John Betjeman as "the least spoiled church in Cornwall", is tucked away in a valley at the end of a narrow overgrown dead-end lane, in a hamlet that consists only of church, farm and cottage.  No wonder that each time I have been there I have sadly been the only visitor.  Launcells has it all:  Norman font, medieval encaustic tiles, monument to Sir John Chamond, large coat of arms of Charles II and, most of all, a multitude of superb Tudor carved bench ends.
Slate Country
Having recently done a Coastal Round Walk from Tintagel, I looked at John Alden's iwalkcornwall web site, found an interesting looking walk from Jeffreys Pit and did it at the end of May 2015.  A figure-of-eight took me through woods and fields to Trenouth, by a grassy track to Delabole, round the quarry (right) and back by fields and lanes.  Later I explored Prince of Wales quarry (left).  In early June, another walk from Jeffreys Pit took me to another coastal quarry at Backways Cove, south of Trebarwith Strand;  see my Coastal Round Walks.
Carn Brea - An Inland Round Walk
I had wondered why I wasn't feeling at my best while doing this short, relatively easy and gloriously scenic walk.  I found out why when shortly I was carted off to hospital with pneumonia.  That didn't spoil the walk which I did in April 2015 as a figure of eight, starting and finishing at the small car park at Old Cowlins Mill.  Greatest thing about the walk is the panoramic views from Carn Brea ridge, 180 degrees from Tregonning Hill, by the Penwith Hills to St. Agnes Beacon and Clay Country.
Walks (mostly) in Woods - Cardinham Woods
I have completed a series of three walks starting from the Cardinham Woods car park. Cardinham Woods 1 includes Ladyvale Bridge, Milltown, Deviock Cross and Callybarrett. Cardinham Woods 2 omits Callybarrett but extends west to include Cardinham church.  Cardinham Woods 3 includes Cardinham church, Castle Farm and the old coach road over Long Downs.  Woodland, clapper bridges, Cornish crosses.  Woods Café in the car park is commended - good food and reasonable prices.  And new and interesting walks from Devoran and from Lanner Hill

CORNWALL REVIEWS INDEX and SITE CONTENTS
Introductory Guide
What's New?
Oliver's Cornwall Walking Pages
Homes
Gardens
Museums & Galleries
Countryside
Holy Sites & Churches
Antiquities
Castles
Towns & Villages
Miscellanea
Home Page
Contact Me
© Copyright Oliver Howes 2017
This page updated 28 February 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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