The Cornish Holy Well at St. Cleer - and a Cure for Madness

While near the village of St.Cleer I looked in on their Holy Well. It is said to go back to the 15th century. It was then used as a magic 'bowsening' pool. So called because 'mad people' would be dunked into the waters to cure their insanity!

I say the well is 15th century, but it was knocked down during the English Civil War - 1642 to 1651. The Cornish granite stones though remained in place. It was said that if any of them were ever moved or stolen they would find their own way back ... creepy!

In the 1800s the jigsaw that was the Holy Well was put together again - as it remains today.

Next to the well is an ancient 7 foot tall cross. There are several variations as to whom the St. Cleer well is dedicated. One version is St.Clarus, a 12th century Benedictine monk. He landed himself in  bit of bother when a noblewoman made romantic advances to him - which, of course, he turned down.  But the result of this was that he was beheaded - though some versions of the story say he fled to France.

It's not known who the monk like figure is in the niche at the front of the well.

The Minack Theatre, Cornwall - A Place of Happiness!

The Minack Theatre, Cornwall - as the sun sets.

Cornwall's Minack Theatre is quoted as being one of the world's most famous outdoor theatres.  It is a bit special, to say the least, perched on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean.

The last time we went to see a play we popped into the small village of Mousehole first and then onto the Minack. It was a glorious day and when we arrived the sky was full of subtle colours - as shown in the first photo.

The play we saw was based on Zorba the Greek. The words of the author Nikos Kazantzakis have stayed with me:

"We stayed silent by the brazier until far into the night. I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else. And all that is required to feel that happiness here and now is a simple frugal heart"

Anyway, whatever happiness is, the photos were taken on a happy night! I'd recommend the Minack Theatre to those visiting Cornwall.

Characters on the cliffs at the Minack Theatre

Gorran Haven, Cornwall - Photos of Harbour and Cottages

The small Gorran Haven harbour looking west

Yesterday's post was about Vault Beach, I mentioned that it was just west of Gorran Haven - so today's photos are of Gorran Haven.

It is somewhere we visited quite often when the children were small, usually on a Sunday. We'd have a picnic lunch on the small beach and the children could play quite safely in the water. Happy days!

The small fishing village is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which gives it a similar status to a National Park.

It is said that the first fishing pier at Gorran Haven was built way back in the 15th century. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a small port.

The pier today, as in the photos, was rebuilt in the early 1800s and later, around 1888, was reconstructed.

Looking east across Gorran Haven harbour

Looking out to sea from Gorran Haven

The road from Vault Beach going down to Gorran Haven

Cottages and narrow street at Gorran Haven

Comparing Upper Lemon Street, Truro In 1890 With How It Looks Today

Upper Lemon Street, Truro 1890

It snowed in the winter of 1890 in Truro - as can be seen in the photo above of Upper Lemon Street. 

It wasn't snowing though when I snapped the photo below of the same view today. The impressive granite faced houses look very much the same - though many are offices today.

In the background you might just be able to make out a tall monument. This is a statue of Richard Lander, following his death in 1834. He was one of the Lander brothers, Richard and John, who discovered the source of the River Niger in 1827.

It's also interesting that the land for the monument was donated by Sir Charles Lemon - note the name of the road in the photos.

Other Similar Posts:
Lostwithiel, Cornwall Comparing How It Looked in 1908 With Today
Lerryn Bridge, Cornwall and How It Looked In 1890
Newquay Harbour, Cornwall In 1875 and 2019
Pentewan, Cornwall: Comparing How It Looked In 1900 With Today
Old Cornwall: Tintagel 1890

The Lesser Known Vault Beach Cornwall

We made our way on the coast path from Gorran Haven to Vault Beach - sometimes also referred to as Bow Beach. Getting to the actual beach is a bit of a chore as it is a long way down a wiggly path from on high. But it's nice and sheltered when you finally get to the sand. Needless to say that there are no facilities - no toilets, lifeguards, gift shops, refreshments etc. which is quite relaxing!

At times the sea around Cornwall can have such lovely shades of blue - but it can also get quite murky at times. It's all down to the weather! While we were there it was a magical colour - at least for a while.

Ah yes, before I forget, I'd better mention that the far end of the beach is a naturist or nudist area. On sunshine days there may well be a selection of bodies in the altogether splashing about in the water or laying prone on the sand. Not always a pretty sight!

From the top of the cliffs the view looks different when looking west. While we were there a dark cloud started to form and down came the rain! This doesn't always happen, of course.

So, instead of walking back along the coast path we walked to the top of the hill and meandered down the very narrow road to Gorran Haven.

The Bodinnick Ferry: Fowey to Bodinnick and Return

Bright colours in the photos but they were all snapped during the month of January - as you can tell by the bare trees.

The Bodinnick Ferry crosses the River Fowey from the town of Fowey to Bodinnick and vice versa. There is believed to have been some sort of ferry here since the 13th century.

The ferry takes cars, motor homes, cycles and walkers. At the time of writing the fare for a car is five pounds and two pounds for a foot passenger. 

This is often called Daphne du Maurier country. She once once lived at a house appropriately called Ferryside. You  can see this in the above photo to the right of the picture and again, in the photo below - it's the house at the front of the picture.

Du Maurier's first novel The Loving Spirit, published in 1931, was written here along with several of her earlier books.

Marazion and the Magical St.Michael's Mount, Cornwall

St. Michael's Mount,  Marazion, Cornwall

We were in the Marazion and Mounts Bay area yesterday. The main attraction, in my opinion, being St. Michael's Mount. I find it very magical. Unfortunately it isn't open during the winter months so had to admire from afar.

There are numerous stories linked to St. Michael's Mount such as :

(1) It is said that the Archangel Michael appeared before local fisherman on the mount in the 5th century.

(2) Prior to the 6th century the island was once the home of an eighteen feet tall giant named Cormoran. He lived in a cave with treasures he accumulated by terrorising the local towns and villages.

(3) Sea-lore claims that Archangel Michael sat in a great stone chair at the top of the mount protecting England. 

Marazion Sign

We started out in the the ancient market town of Marazion.

RSPB Reserve

Opposite the Marazion sign, on the other side of the road, there is a RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of  Birds) reserve.

Town of Marazion

The town of Marazion is very old. I read on Marazion Info that it is one of the oldest chartered towns in the UK. The first charter of incorporation being granted by Henry III in 1257 and this was reaffirmed on the 13th of June, 1595 by Queen Elizabeth I.

Marazion shop and cottages.

Marazion is all very pleasant but we like to take in some of the back streets as well, so made our way up Back Lane having no idea where it would lead.

The Back Lane - had no idea where it would lead

The lane had some lovely views over the town and sea.

Views from the Back Lane over the sea and Mounts Bay

The weather had turned quite dull but there was a lovely view of St.Michael's Mount across the house tops.

St. Michael's Mount  seen over the roof tops

Finally we felt we had to look at Marazion's well, though there isn't much water in it nowadays! It's strange to think, though, that this was the main source of water for the residents of the town until 1879. 

Marazion Well

Having had out fill of the town we walked along the waters edge. It wasn't a good day for photos but the man made causeway to St. Michael's Mount has some nice shades of colour on the stones. The tide wasn't out far enough to actually walk to the island.

The Causeway Leading To St. Michael's Mount - when the tide is right

Not many people in the water!

We continued along the beach until we reached Coast Path leading to Penzance.

The beach cafe was closed - but we had a very pleasant day, and walked a fair distance.

All being well I'll return to St.Michael's Mount in the main season to snap a few photos - when the island is open for visitors.