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Mawgan-in-Meneage


OS Grid ref:- SW7214

The attractive village of Mawgan-in-Meneage is situated between the Helford River and the village of Gunwalloe, on Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula.

An inscribed pillar stone stands the meeting of three roads at the centre of the village; it bears an inscription that is no longer readable, but based on an old drawing and a photograph taken in 1936 it could have been a memorial stone to either 'Cnegumus son of Genaius' or 'Genaius son of Cnegumus'. The date of this inscription is not certain beyond having been carved before the twelfth century.

The village church, which dates to the fourteenth century is dedicated to St Mauganus, a Welsh saint thought to be one of the Welsh missionaries who brought Christianity to Cornwall, who was venerated in south-west Wales and also in Brittany. The building was enlarged in the fifteenth century with the addition of the south aisle and the tower.

Features of interest in the building include a Carminow tomb dating to the thirteenth century, containing the two life-size effigies of a crusader, Sir Roger Carminow, who died in 1308, and his wife Joanna. The Carminow family was one of the most ancient in Cornwall, and was reputed to have lived at Carminow, in Mawgan parish, before the Norman conquest of 1066. There are also monuments to the two first Vyvyan baronets, Sir Richard and Sir Vyelland, which are situated at the east end of the north aisle, where the helmet and sword used by Sir Richard Vyvyan in the Civil Wars are hung. Sir Richard was a very active Royalist and built and garrisoned a fort on Dennis Head at his own expense. Coats of arms on the tower include the Reskymer family of Merthen in Constantine and also the Ferrers family of Bere Ferrers in Devon.

Nearby Trelowarren House dates back to the mid-fifteenth century and has been home to the Vyvyan family ever since. Some of the out-buildings have been converted into a a cafe, galleries, craft centre and the Lizard Countryside Centre. The privately owned estate is surrounded by a thousand acres of highly attractive woodland and farmland between the Goonhilly Downs and the Helford River.

Cornish Villages


Visitor Attractions on the Lizard Peninsula

National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek, founded in 1958 and devoted to seal rescue and care, baby seals are in the sanctuary from September - March. Open daily, except Christmas Day, from 10a.m..

Lizard LighthouseThe Lizard Lighthouse is open to the public, a visitor car park is provided by the entrance gate. Visitors may ascend the 70 metre high lighthouse tower from where there are stunning views. The coastline around the lighthouse offers spectacular walks along the cliffs. Open July 11.00 - 18.00, August 11.00-19.00

*Lizard Countryside Centre fully interactive exhibition based on local countryside, history and wildlife. Open Easter - Oct, daily, 11am - 5pm.

Bonython Manor The superb garden at Bonython covers 20 acres and its plantations of Montrerey pine and beech trees were planted in the 1830s. There is much for the gardening enthusiast to see at Bonython. Open April - October, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.00am - 4.30pm

*Trelowarren House and Craft Centre Magwan-in-Meneage, Elizabethan style Stuart building with a Victorian interior, home to the Vyvyan family, hosts crafts exhibition. Open all year.

*Marconi Memorial , Poldhu, art deco obelisk just south of Poldhu Bay, first radio signals across Atlantic were sent from here by Guglielmo Marconi.

*Goonhilly Earth Station, futuristic satellite tracking station built in 1962, visitor centre with interactive displays and hands on exhibitions, tours of the site. Open, Easter - Oct, 10am - 5pm (6pm in high season).