Launceston
My earliest memories of Launceston are of an ordinary little town with a terrible traffic problem. That was in the 1950s when there were no decent roads into Cornwall. Now that the A30 bypasses the town, Launceston has regained the character it had before traffic congealed its arteries. We have visited twice recently - once for antiques (there are none that we could find) and then for quilting exhibitions. The quilts were wonderful - in St. Mary's church and at Cowslip Workshops at a nearby farm on the road from Egloskerry. Jo Colwill started Cowslip Workshops when foot-and-mouth had reduced farm income to zero. You can now learn sewing, quilting, embroidery, drawing and more and there is a shop, a restaurant and a gallery with good exhibitions. Launceston itself may lack good shops but it does not lack interest. The original settlement north of the river, now known as St. Stephens, has a fine church. In medieval Launceston you will find a ruined late Norman and 13th century castle, a 13th century town gate (the town walls are long gone), some handsome churches, notably that dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, a good local museum in the National Trust's Lawrence House and a narrow gauge steam railway with its own museum. We were pleased to find Launceston much better than expected. Launceston re-visited 2016
St. Stephens church at the original settlement
Signed from A30, just west of the Devon border
Launceston
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Launceston revisited in February 2016
revisited in February 2016
Lelant
In January 2017 I had an expedition down west. First I went to see Towednack church, closed when I was there recently but happily open this time. Then I continued to Lelant where a little research in Langdon had suggested the existence of several Cornish Crosses. I checked on Cornwall Council's excellent Mapping Website and was able to confirm that I should find crosses in the churchyard of St.Uny Lelant, in the large cemetery and even on the main street. Previously I had only been in Lelant when on the Cornish Coast Path between Hayle and St. Ives. On that occasion I had taken the path between the church and its separate cemetery and not lingered at he church. On this occasion I stopped in the town first where, opposite the Badger Inn (formerly the Praed Arms) a Cornish Cross had been built into the wall next to Cross Cottage. There is now a War Memorial on the site but it looks as if the cross head is mounted on top of the memorial. In the cemetery I found 3 crosses; in the churchyard I found a further 2. The church is delightfully situated, next to a golf course and overlooking Hayle and the Hayle Estuary. Of interest in the church are 2 ancient slate memorials, an octagonal font, panelling from a medieval screen and a good reredos.
Lerryn
Although Lerryn in only 3 miles from Lostwithiel, and that seems the obvious way to approach it, I think that probably the best and most interesting way to approach the village is to start from Fowey and and take the Bodinnick Ferry across the Fowey River. This way not only will you have a good view of Daphne Du Maurier's parents' Ferryside home, but you will then travel along quiet lanes and through the charming hamlet of Lower Penpoll. Lerryn is clearly a wealthy little village. A number of handsome homes stand along both sides of the little River Lerryn, a tributary of the Fowey River. It is effectively a tidal creek, crossed by a medieval bridge and by stepping stones at low tide. Small boats line the river but don't move often - the very tidal nature of the river is quite restrictive. Signs of former industry include lime kilns built into homes and a former barn (maybe a warehouse) by the river. There is a lovely walk along the north side of the river to the tiny hamlet of St. Winnow. Try this walk in spring when the woodland is filled with bluebells and wild garlic. You can make a round walk of it by returning across fields to Winnow Mill, then through the National Trust's Ethy estate. We have enjoyed several good meals in the Ship Inn at Lerryn. There is a small amount of parking by the river, close to the Ship Inn.