Cornwall's Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel Plus a Strange Story

I have previously published posts about Menacuddle, with its Holy Well and Georgian Chapel, but I make no apologies for publishing a further post. The area is a bit special. Not just the well but also the river and gardens, which alter throughout the seasons. There is definitely a touch of magic and mystery in the air.

The photos are my own, but let's go back to the 1800's. This is how the well was then described:

About half a mile from St. Austell there is an enclosed well of remarkably pure water known as Menacuddle Well i.e. maen-a-coed, the hawk's stone; and also the remains of its little chapel of bapistry.

The chapel is 11 feet long, 9 feet wide. There are north and south doorways. The spring rises on the east side and the basin is divided by a stone bar.

It's romantic situation moved visitors more than any idea 0f the water.

The well is also a wishing well. It lies at the foot of Menacuddle Grove, surrounded with romantic scenery and covered with an ancient Gothic Chapel.

The virtues of these waters are very extraordinary, but the advantages to be derived from them are rather attributed to the sanctity of the fountain than to the excellence of its stream.

Weak children have frequently been carried here to be bathed; ulcers have also been bathed here. 

People in a season of sickness have been recommended by neighbouring matrons to drink this salubrious fluid. In most cases instances may be procured of benefits received from the application.

Kindly note, I would not recommend drinking the water ~ Mike.

While I was doing some research I came across a completely different side to Menacuddle :

"Menacuddle Well woods, in St Austell, Cornwall, are renowned for having a supernatural presence - including a terrifying black beast."

Gulp! I'd never heard this before. Surely it can't be true.

From more research I found the following beast story, which seems to have come to light in 2016.  An Express headline stated: 

The grisley remains of a centuries old corpse has been discovered in a creepy British woodland - which locals believe is haunted by a huge black beast!

A local councillor is quoted as saying, "Be careful. I have seen it. It's not a dog or a cat."

Think that deserves another gulp!

The story is that the corpse is probably about 300 years old. Back then people were sometimes buried in slate coffins - this is in the 1700s and 1800s.

A local councillor explained how it is believed that the coffin was left near the well, by the grieving family members, who hoped the well's powers would restore him to life.

All in all an interesting story, what with the supposed beast and the skull - but I have always felt quite happy to wander by the well and through the Menacuddle gardens. 

Mind you, though, I remember seeing something black and beast like ... okay, okay it was only my son's black cat.

Thanks for visiting my blog, have a good week ~ Mike.

Here are three more of my Menacuddle Posts:

(1) The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall

(2) The Peaceful Holy Well and Chapel at Menacuddle Cornwall

(3) The Menacuddle Holy Well, Chapel and the White River in Cornwall

Walking to Hallane Cove, Cornwall and its Waterfall

We had envisaged a walk along the Cornish coastal path, but it looked so very muddy after all of the recent rain. Instead we headed for Hallane Cove - photo as above.

Our route first went through the hamlet of Trenarren and its quaint cottages. Note the red Royal Mail post box and the five mph speed limit signs on the corner of the first cottage.

A white cat was observing passers by, though he didn't move about very much.

A pleasant property all neat and tidy.

Then there is an uphill path to follow.

Of course what goes up usually also goes down.

We carried along the path until we reached our destination of Hallane Cove. Note the waterfall spilling into the incoming tide.

The beach is somewhat stoney but had the attraction of being quiet and peaceful. We hadn't seen anyone else on our walk.

A different photo of the waterfall, must be fun on a sunshine day.

And here's another pic of the beach.

To leave the cove there are a few steps to navigate.

There is also a wooden seat to enjoy the views. 

Spotted some snowdrops on our return journey.

Back at Trenarren hamlet a few early flowers as the road starts to rise.

Two similar cottages on our return journey.

A pleasant easy walk. I guess the only problem can be finding somewhere to park a car. Just outside of the hamlet there is parking for about seven or eight cars.

The road  leading to the parking spot is very narrow in places. It's best to have your fingers crossed so that you avoid meeting a car travelling the opposite way - well it sometimes works

Finally, to end today's post, a reminder of the storms we had last week in Cornwall. Nearby to where I live a tree fell and took with it the electric power lines - so it was back to using candles! A few photos.

That's it for this week. All good wishes ~ Mike.

Walking the Pentewan Trail to the Village and Harbour

Once upon a time this was was the Pentewan Railway carrying china clay - up until about 1918, Now it is part of the Pentewan Valley Trail.

We didn't walk the whole trail but started at a pull-in on the B3373. This leads to the bridge as shown in the first photo.

From here we simply followed the St. Austell River sticking to the riverside. The path isn't wonderful but less people take this option.

The path leads to the village of Pentewan.

And Bob's your uncle, here we are in the village. This cottage dates back to 1823

More of the village. At the far end of the road there is a steep hill.

We headed for the beach - can never resist a stroll by the sea. Pentewan Beach must be slightly over half a mile in length. All is very peaceful at this time of year, but it gets busy in the summer season.

To reach the beach you pass Pentewan Harbour.

The harbour is no longer used and is now  landlocked

In the late 1800s, and early 1900s, however, the harbour would have been full of tall sailing ships exporting local china clay, metals and the like all over the world.

Here's a photo of the harbour from 1900 with a few tall ships in dock.

Now on the way back from Pentewan to our car. On the return we took the popular path used for walkers, cyclists, and horses. Luckily there didn't seem to be any of these about, so an empty path ahead.

A bit muddy in places.

Nearly back to the start and a wooden bridge crossing the river.

A sign by the bridge points the way to Mevagissey, Heligan, St. Austell and Pentewan.

Two little ducks minding their own business.

And finally, here we are back to the bridge where we started.

That's all for today, thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoy your week ~ Mike.