Gerrans
OS grid reference
The village of Gerrans is situated on the east side of the Roseland Peninsula and lies around seven miles (11 km) to the south-southeast of Truro.
The village is adjacent to Portscatho, the 2 villages have now almost merged but retain their separate identities. The name derives from Gerent, an eighth century saint, originally known as Curgurrell, the Cornish king, Gerennius of Dumnonia, settled here and changed its name.
Local legend states he was buried at Carne Beacon with a golden boat with silver oars on which his body was rowed across Gerrans Bay, Carne Beacon lies around a mile from the nearby village of Veryan. The name still survives today in Wales as Geraint. Gerennius has been woven into the legends of King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table, but there is little historical evidence to support this claim. He is probably most famous as the protagonist in the Welsh tale Geraint and Enid, where he becomes the lover of Enid.
The village church (pictured left) is dedicated to St Gerent or Gerendus. It was built in the thirteenth century and enlarged in the fifth century when the south and aisle and the tower with its elegant octagonal spire were added. In 1849 everything except the tower was rebuilt by William White of Truro, although this was done as closely as possible to the original church.
The hilltop village provides stunning views of Gerrans Bay with Gull Rock and Nare Head in the distance. Gerrans Bay itself has two large sandy beaches at Carne Beach and Pendower Beach. Gerrans has a small museum, the Gerrans Parish Heritage Centre on Tregassick Road, the Old Forge which houses the visitor centre dates to the 1790's, The history of the area is illustrated with displays depicting farming through the Ages, the Fishing Industry, Domesday Book entries, the Manors, Coastguards and much more. There are also a few shops in the village and the Royal Standard Inn offers good pub meals.
The manor of Tregear was owned by the Bishops of Exeter in the mediaeval era and may have been the location of St. Gerent's castle (Dingerein or Dinurrin).