St. Neot
OS Grid ref:- SX 1867
The village of St. Neot is siuated in a wooded valley on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, lying near to Colliford Lake and the enigmatic Dozmary Pool
The imposing granite Village Church of St. Anietus boasts a series of seventeen superb stained glass windows which date back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The glass depicts saints and angels and biblical stories. One of the windows depicts the Saxon monk St Neot himself, who is said to have stood only four feet high, in a series of varying scenes. The building itself is built in the perpendicular style and dates from the fifteenth century.
By tradition, an oak branch is hung from the top of the church tower each Oak Apple Day (May 29th). To commemorate the escape of Charles II, who in 1660, suceeded in hiding in the branches of an oak tree from Cromwell's Roundheads after his defeat at the battle of Worcester.
The churchyard contains a fine cross which dates from the ninth century. Said to be one of the finest in Cornwall, it is richly engraved with Celtic patterns. A Holy Well lies a short walk from the churchyard by the River Loveny. St Neot is reported to have stood daily at the well reciting the Psalter. The well was restored in the nineteenth century.
The village pub, the London Inn, situated next to the church offers good food and accommodation.
The nearby Carnglaze Slate Caverns, a former slate quarry, have been worked since ancient times and are well worth a visit. Guided tours of the caverns are available.