Grampound
OS grid reference - SW 935 483
Grampound on the Roseland Peninsula is situated on the A390 road 6 miles (10 km) west of St Austell. The village lies at an ancient crossing point of the River Fal.
The name derives from the Norman French language, grand (great), pont (bridge), in reference to the bridge over the River Fal, in Cornish it was known as Ponsmur.
Grampound developed following the Norman conquest of 1066 as the main crossing place on the Fal, a focus for travellers and traders moving between west Cornwall and England. The village grew to became one of the most important towns in medieval Cornwall. The bridge from which the Grampound took its name is first recorded in 1296. The town remained an important one until the fifteenth century.
Most of the village is a Conservation Area, and there are many interesting buildings on Fore Street, including the local school, the elegant clock tower and the Town Hall. A small museum, the Grampound with Creed Heritage Centre, is located in the Town Hall, admission is free. A number of significant sites include former tan yards and mill sites.
The church of St Nun (pictured right) was originally built in the fourteenth century, St Nun is thought to have lived in the fifth century and was the mother of St David of Wales. She is reported as being the daughter of a Pembrokeshire Chieftain who came to Cornwall and then moved to Brittany. The building fell into such a poor state of disrepair in the nineteenth century that it became the site of livestock sales. Later that century, the efforts of a local rector resulted in it being rebuilt, however little of the original church remains. The church is early Gothic in style; the chancel is superbly carved, as is the reredos which is made of Caen stone.
Trewithen Gardens, described as "perhaps the most beautiful woodland garden in England" are situated at Grampound. Created by George Johnstone over 100 years ago and internationally renowned for its magnificent collection of rare trees and shrubs, Trewithen is a RHS recommended garden.
Nearby Creed House is an eighteenth century rectory with Georgian gardens and woodland walks and Creed church (OS Grid reference SW9347) dedicated to St Crida, is a lovely old building which dates back to the fourteenth century, the base of the church font dates back to Norman times and there is an old church house in the churchyard.