St. Mabyn

Mabyn

Jane and I had been in St. Mabyn on several occasions but only to lunch at the excellent St. Mabyn Inn, where we have entertained friends and relatives more than once. On this occasion in September 2016 I was having quite a saints day. Before St. Mabyn, I visited St. Teath for the first time and later stopped in St. Tudy to have a thorough look inside the church. Oddly, the most attractive buildiing in the village is the combined Post Office, Stores and Tea Room, situated behind the church. The pub, despite its reputation, is not very much to look at but it is attractive inside with a good comfortable bar and a handsome dining room. The food when we were last there was first class. I spent some time in the church but first I spotted a Cornish Cross at the eastern end of the churchyard. The church exterior is typically Cornish with nave, two aisles and a three stage pinnacled tower. As you enter, you are greeted (or, at least, I was) by a colourful St. Mabena banner where you might expect St. Christopher. Inside are three fine wagon roofs with carved bosses. Rood stairs remain intact though, of course, the rood loft is long gone. The font, which Pevsner suggests is of Purbeck stone, dates from Norman times. Sadly, chairs have replaced the pews so, in this intance no chance of any carved bench ends, though the choir stalls are fairly attractive.

St. Mabyn Post Office, stores & tea room

July 2020: St. Mabyn Inn was up for sale in 2016 at just under �1 million. Wow! Presumably sold; certainly open July 2020.