Tuesday, April 19

In Search Of Celtic Crosses At St.Winnow In Cornwall

River Lerryn and bridge
I wasn't too sure what to write about today so decided to do a post on a walk my wife and I often take. On this occasion we went in search of Celtic Crosses at a small church at St. Winnow in Cornwall.

Stepping stones at LerrynThis Cornish walk isn't too far - about five or six miles - but it takes in river views, woods, fields and the old church at St.Winnow.

We parked our car in the small car park at Lerryn, which is right next to the river - which we crossed using the stepping stones (photo right) as the tide was low.

Once on the other side of the river we looked back at the view, shown at the top of this post. I snapped the photos as we walked. As you will notice the weather was changeable from blue skies to being overcast.

River Lerryn Cornwall
The first part of the walk is very easy following the footpath by the river (above) but this soon ends and we head into Ethy Woods (below)

Ethy Woods Cornwall
As the path through the woods steepens there are lovely views over the River Lerryn (photo below)

River Lerryn, Cornwall
The woods end and we make our way into the fields via the steps and stile as shown below.

Cornish steps and stile
The fields usually have cows, or other animals, roaming free but this is a public right of way so the farmers have to put up with us walkers.

Cows and fields near River Fowey
Leaving the River Lerryn behind we join the River Fowey (photo below). We walk along the bank until we reach the small, lonely church of St.Winnow. It's here that we want to look at the Celtic Crosses.

River Fowey at St Winnow Cornwall
The churchyard has many Celtic Crosses amongst the gravestones, some quite tall as can be seen from the photo below.

St Winnow Church Cornwall with Celtic Cross
It is believed that St.Winnow Church was founded in the 7th century and was mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086.

St.Winnow, or St. Winnoc, was an evangelist who set up many churches and died around 717 AD. The church tower was most likely added in the 15th century.

St.Winnow church found a little fame in the mid to late 1970s when it featured in the Poldark television series based on the Poldark novels by Winston Graham which were all set in Cornwall in the 1700s.

Karin and I had our lunch, which we had brought with us, in the churchyard overlooking the river.

St. Winnow Church Cornwall
Lunch over - one last backward glance at more Celtic Crosses (below) and we set off again on a different return journey.

Celtic Crosses at St Winnow church Cornwall
It was then across a large farmer's field ...

Farmers fields near St.Winnow
... with the river now on our right ...

Scenary next to River Fowey
... and into Ethy Woods again.

Walking in woods at Lerryn Cornwall
Once out of the woods it's back to more fields, with many fine old oak trees, until we eventually return to the stepping stones and cross the river to our car

Fields approaching Lerryn Cornwall
Map of walk from Lerryn, CornwallOkay, nothing paranormal happened but we enjoyed the walk and seeing the church once more. I didn't find what I was looking for amongst all of the Celtic Crosses. I was hoping to find another cross with a dollar sign in the middle as per my post The Mystery Of The Celtic Cross With A Dollar Symbol
I think the one I saw at St.Breok must have been quite unique. I still don't know what it means. The answer is still hiding from me.

The Cornish Mystery Of The Trevethy Quoit Stones

Bookmark and Share

6 comments:

  1. Love these excursions through your countryside. Looks to me like you all live in paradise, Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  2. another great promotional post for cornwall! its a lovely part of the country and always enjoy your cornish posts and photos

    ReplyDelete
  3. What lovely photos. I almost feel as if I were there. Thank you Mike!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These pictures are absolutely breathtaking! I can't believe you live around such beauty! Thanks so much for sharing them.

    And thanks also for visiting and commenting on my blog. I really, really appreciate it! I'm so glad you did, because it brought me back here to see your lovely photos! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous02:23

    IHS is a monogram of the name of Jesus, derived from the first three letters of the Greek version of his name: Iota, Eta and Sigma. Sometimes you will see the three letters IHS superimposed on each other, creating a symbol that looks a bit like a dollar sign ($). The Roman version is IHC.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous02:23

    IHS is a monogram of the name of Jesus, derived from the first three letters of the Greek version of his name: Iota, Eta and Sigma. Sometimes you will see the three letters IHS superimposed on each other, creating a symbol that looks a bit like a dollar sign ($). The Roman version is IHC.

    ReplyDelete