Churches in North Cornwall.
Sir
John Betjernan was a passionate church-crawler in North Cornwall, seeing
stories in the graveyards, in the stained glass, in the memorials, the bell
towers and the splendid buildings themselves. Pick up one of the Church Trail
Packs (see below.) and prepare yourself for a fascinating experience - with
surprises behind every church door.
A good starting point is the Boscastle Visitor's Centre, where you can pick up a copy of the Boscastle Area Church Trail, one of the gems of which is nearby St Genny's church, perched in the lee of the cliffs. The sloping graveyard commands fine views over Bude Bay to Lundy Island and the graves mark the last port of call for many shipwrecked sailors.
Take
the church of St Winwaloe at Poundstock, on the Bude Area Church Trail, for
example. Idyllically situated by a stream in a secluded dell, the 14th century
church witnessed the hacking to death of an assistant curate by pirates in
1357. To the north, the Norman church of Morwenstow, in its quiet coastal
combe, is romantically situated and is packed with tales of the famous sea-booted
opium-smoking Parson Hawker.
One of Betjeman's favourite Cornish churches, Little Petherick, lies in a sheltered valley on the Padstow Area Church Trail, and, nearer the coast, St Merryn church provides an inland focus for coast walks around Trevose Head and Constantine Bay.
You'll find quiet oases in the towns too: in Camelford, St Thomas' church; in Bodmin, St Petroc's (the largest parish church in Cornwall); and in Launceston, glorious St Mary Magdalene church with its intricately carved stones.
Church Trail Discovery Packs each containing full colour laminated cards featuring explorer routes, history and pictures of 10 Churches along the way £3.99.
Available for Bude, Padstow, Boscastle and Tintagel.
Available
from all North Cornwall Tourist
Information Centres.
For mail order please ring 01840 250010 or 01840 779084
North Cornwall 2002 - Atlantic Heritage Coast