Cardinham
OS Grid ref:- SX1268
The small village of Cardinham is siuated on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor. Known in Cornish as Kardhinan, the name derives from the Cornish word 'Car', or 'Caer, which translates as fort and 'Dinas' also meaning fortress.
The earthwork remains of Cardinham Castle are situated on high ground to the south of the church (OS grid ref:-SX126680). The castle is believed to have been built by the Norman Richard Fitz Turold, who was Sheriff of Cornwall for Robert, Count of Mortain, half brother to William the Conqueror. The motte stands at four metres high and has been extensively damaged on its top and eastern side. The bailey is generally well preserved on the west and south sides but the east side has been cut away. The site has been described as a timber castle, the majority of castles in the immediate post conquest period took this form. The castle stands on privately owned land and the permission of the landowner must be sought before visiting.
Cardinham Woods, which lie at the end of the lovely Glynn Valley, are owned by the Forestry Commision. Consisting of highly attractive mixed woodland, the area is popular with cyclists, walkers, and horse riders. There are four waymarked trails and miles of other tracks and paths to explore which weave their way through 650 acres of woodland. Wildlife includes deer, buzzard, otter and kingfisher. Refreshments are avaiable at Woods Café.
On nearby St Bellarmin's Tor stand the remains of a small chapel dedicated to St Bartholomew who is said to have lived and preached there.
Images copyright Joe Pritchard and Len Williams
The Church of St.Meubred
The handsome Parish Church of Cardinham was dedicated in 1085 to St Meubred the Martyr, a fifth to sixth century Irish missionary who was beheaded in Rome and his body returned for burial to the church.
The present granite building dates to the fifteenth century, only the font, the Easter Sepulchre and various stones remain of the previous buildings that occupied the site, the elaborate bench ends, of which there are 71, date to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The churchyard contains two superb Celtic crosses, one of which stands over eight feet in height, dating back to the eighth century, it has been described as one of the best in Cornwall. . The church was damaged by German bombs which were probably intended for Bodmin during the Second World War.