St. Kew

Kew

St. Kew is the 'churchtown' of an extensive but little populated parish in North Cornwall. Now of little importance, except for its excellent eponymous hostelry, in medieval times it was a centre of some importance. The names of its relatively few buildings bear witness to this former importance. The church of St. James the Great - an unusual dedication - is believed once to have been the site of a Celtic monastery and indeed is apparently mentioned as early as the 6th century. Consisting of nave, two aisles and a tall three stage tower, it is noteworthy for its three wagon roofs, its stained glass (much admired by Pevsner), its original rood stairs, its much later elaborate rood screen, its elaborately carved font. There is a handsome pulpit, remains of a lantern cross and an unusual stone carved in Latin and Ogham scripts. Outside is a tall but damaged Celtic Cross and elaborate triple bank of steps up from the road. Adjacent is the admired St. Kew Inn, itself probably originally of the 15th century; a fairly elaborate evening menu is counter-balanced by simpler lunchime snacks. Southeast of the inn is the large former vicarage. Other interesting buildings include The Barton, Barton Farm and The Grange. John Alden includes a walk from St. Kew in his iwalkcornwall but when I tried it stiles were almost impassable for mud and barbed wire.

The hansdome St. Kew Inn

Signed from St. Kew Highway on A39 Wadebrisge to Camelford.

St.