Mylor Churchtown and Yacht Harbour

To many this is just Mylor Yacht Harbour, a major yachting and watersports centre where Mylor Creek joins Carrick Roads. With yacht club, large marina, extensive moorings, renowned boatyard and bars and restaurants, that’s understandable. As a result of the Harbour’s success property prices are among Cornwall’s highest and large houses spread along Mylor Creek. However, for others, this is Mylor Churchtown – to distinguish it from Mylor Bridge – and the main interest is the church of St. Mylor, quite unnoticed by much of the boating fraternity. One of Cornwall’s oldest holy sites, the first church is said to have been founded before AD411 when St. Mylor was martyred here. A charming church, set in a steeply sloping churchyard, there are two Norman doorways but the body of the church is essentially of 13th and 15th centuries. There are remains of a 15th century painted rood screen, an Elizabethan pulpit and a puzzling priest’s chair, reputed to have come from nearby Glasney College, closed when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, of 1000 year old Irish bog oak with Norse carving and Tudor panelling. The churchyard, lych gate at the top, small iron gate on the quay, is most enjoyable, Steeply sloping, it contains a free standing bell tower, St. Mylor’s holy well, a Cornish Cross that, if the whole shaft were visible, would stand 17’ 6” high, fine wild flowers, and ancient tombstones, one commemorating the 200 who died when Queen was wrecked on Trefusis Point.

Mylor Church - Walk from Churchtown

Mylor church and its detatched wooden bell tower

From A39, just SW of Perranarworthal, 2nd L, follow signs