Saints' Way

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The Saints' Way looking North West towards St Austell On the Saints Way - geograph.org.uk - 557351.jpg
The Saints' Way looking North West towards St Austell
A signpost and Celtic Cross along the Saints' Way near Lanivet Signpost and Cross - geograph.org.uk - 155228.jpg
A signpost and Celtic Cross along the Saints' Way near Lanivet

The Saints' Way (Cornish : Forth an Syns) is a long-distance footpath in mid Cornwall in the United Kingdom that connects the coastal towns of Padstow and Fowey.

Contents

The Saints' Way follows a possible reconstructed route taken by early traders and Christian travellers making their way betweem Ireland and Mainland Europe. Rather than risk the difficult passage around Land's End, they could disembark from ships on the coast of Cornwall and progress over land to other coast ports such as Fowey on foot.

Description

The footpath runs North-West to South-East, from North Padstow—on the North coast of Cornwall—to Fowey—on South coast of Cornwall. [1] [2] [3] The Saints' Way's symbolic trailheads are St Petroc's Church in Padstow ( 50°32′28″N4°56′35″W / 50.541°N 4.943°W / 50.541; -4.943 ), [2] [4] [5] and St Finbar's church in Fowey ( 50°20′10″N4°38′10″W / 50.336°N 4.636°W / 50.336; -4.636 ). [2] [5] [6]

As the Way approaches Helman Tor from Lanivet, the Way diverges into two routes, both leading to Fowey. [7] The eastern route passes Helman Tor, through Lanlivery, to Golant, and to Fowey. [5] The western route passes through Luxulyan, to St Blazey, to Tywardreath, to Fowey. [5] [8] The Saints' Way via the Luxulyan route is a total distance of 28.5 miles (45.6 km), and via the route Lanlivery totals 29 miles (46.6 km). [7]

Part of the route is a bridleway so can be used by horse-riders.

The route passes many Celtic crosses and holy wells

History

The Saints' Way by Petherick Creek Saints' Way near Trerethern - geograph.org.uk - 5410869.jpg
The Saints' Way by Petherick Creek

Early seafarers travelling between Ireland or Wales, and Brittany were often reluctant to travel around Land's End and The Lizard peninsulas due difficult sailing conditions due to frequent storms. [1] [5] Instead, travellers disembarked along one of Cornwall's coasts, and travelled over the Cornish peninsula toward the opposite coast where they would then reëmbark. [1] Such travellers included traders and religious figures took various transpeninsular routes across Cornwall. [1] [5]

One such transpaninuslar journey was from Padstow and Harlyn Bay by the Camel Estuary, then heading to Fowey and St Austell Bay along the south. [1] [5]

Between 55–50AD a Roman trading centre was constructed at Tregear near Nanstallon and it is thought its purpose was to serve the main communication and trade route linking the north Cornish coast at the River Camel and the southern coast at the River Fowey, the 'transpeninsular route'. However the centre was abandoned after only 20–25 years and it was not used again. It is thought that the trading route served the Celtic peoples of Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany as Nanstallon was built close to major mineral bearing areas. [9]

The routes between Padstow and Fowey largely declined in use during the Roman period in Cornwall. [10] In the post-roman perioid in Cornwall, cultural and religious exchange between Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Cornwall, as a part of the Age of the Saints in Celtic Christianity. [11]

Modern reconstruction

In 1984, two villagers from Luxulyan—Cliff Townes and Alf Fookes—discovered of a section of abandoned pathway surfaced with cobbles and a series of granite stiles that had been covered by overgrown vegetation. [4]

The Saints' Way was created as part of the Cooperative Retail Services Community Programme and opened in 1986. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padstow</span> Town in Cornwall, England

Padstow is a town, civil parish and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The town is situated on the west bank of the River Camel estuary, approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Wadebridge, 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Bodmin and 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Newquay. The population of Padstow civil parish was 3,162 in the 2001 census, reducing to 2,993 at the 2011 census. In addition an electoral ward with the same name exists but extends as far as Trevose Head. The population for this ward is 4,434.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Fowey</span> River in Cornwall, England

The River Fowey is a river in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. Its source is at Fowey Well about 1 mile (1.6 km) north-west of Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor, not far from one of its tributaries rising at Dozmary Pool and Colliford Lake, passes Lanhydrock House, Restormel Castle and Lostwithiel, then broadens below Milltown before joining the English Channel at Fowey. The estuary is called Uzell. It is only navigable by larger craft for the last 7 miles (11 km). There is a ferry between Fowey and Bodinnick. The first road crossing going upstream is in Lostwithiel. The river has seven tributaries, the largest being the River Lerryn. The section of the Fowey Valley between Doublebois and Bodmin Parkway railway station is known as the Glynn Valley. The valley is the route of both the A38 trunk road and the railway line. The railway line is carried on eight stone viaducts along this stretch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Camel</span> River in Cornwall, England

The River Camel is a river in Cornwall, England. It rises on the edge of Bodmin Moor and with its tributaries its catchment area covers much of North Cornwall. The river flows into the eastern Celtic Sea between Stepper Point and Pentire Point having covered about 30 miles (50 km) making it the second longest river wholly in Cornwall. The river is tidal upstream to Egloshayle and is popular for sailing, birdwatching and fishing. The name Camel comes from the Cornish language for 'the crooked one', a reference to its winding course. Historically the river was divided into three named stretches. Heyl was the name for the estuary up to Egloshayle, the River Allen was the stretch between Egloshayle and Trecarne, whilst the Camel was reserved for the stretch of river between its source and Trecarne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Petroc</span> Sub-Roman abbot and saint

Petroc or Petrock was a British prince and Christian saint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tywardreath</span> Human settlement in England

Tywardreath is a small hilltop village on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, about 3 miles (5 km) north west of Fowey. It is located in a sheltered spot overlooking a silted up estuary opposite Par and near the beach of Par Sands. It is on the Saints' Way path.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic Coast Line (Cornwall)</span> Railway line in Cornwall, UK

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxulyan</span> Village in Cornwall, England

Luxulyan, also spelt Luxullian or Luxulian, is a village and civil parish in mid Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village lies four miles (6.5 km) northeast of St Austell and six miles (10 km) south of Bodmin. The population of the parish was 1,371 in the 2001 census. This had risen to 1,381 at the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camel Trail</span> Hiking and cycling trail in Cornwall, United Kingdom

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lanlivery</span> Human settlement in England

Lanlivery is a village and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is about 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) west of Lostwithiel and five miles (8 km) south of Bodmin. The Saints' Way runs past Lanlivery. Helman Tor, Red Moor and Breney Common nature reserves lie within the parish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Winnow</span> Human settlement in England

St Winnow is a civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. Its name may be connected with either that of Saint Winnoc or Saint Winwaloe. It has a population of 304, which had increased to 328 at the 2011 census. The church town is on the east bank of the River Fowey south of Lostwithiel. Part of the village of Lerryn lies within the parish as does the Chapel of St Nectan. The Redlake Meadows & Hoggs Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest is also in the parish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Cornwall (UK Parliament constituency)</span>

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Lanescot is a village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is in a former mining area, about four miles (6 km) east-northeast of St Austell and four miles (6 km) west-northwest of Fowey. The Saints' Way long-distance footpath passes through Lanescot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxulyan Valley</span> River valley in Cornwall, England

The Luxulyan Valley is the steep sided and thickly wooded valley of the River Par, situated in mid Cornwall, England, UK. It contains a major concentration of early 19th century industrial remains, and was designated as part of a World Heritage Site in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Cornwall</span>

The evolution of transport in Cornwall has been shaped by the county's strong maritime, mining and industrial traditions and much of the transport infrastructure reflects this heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Sampson's Church, Golant</span> Church

St Sampson's Church is the Church of England parish church of the village of Golant, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom; it is dedicated to St Sampson of Dol.

The Cornish Way is a cycle route which is part of the National Cycle Network that links Bude to Land's End. The route is via Padstow or St Austell and is 180 miles in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breney Common</span> Nature reserve in mid Cornwall, England, UK

Breney Common is a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, noted for its biological characteristics, in mid Cornwall, England, UK. It is located mainly in Lanlivery civil parish, with the Saints' Way footpath running through it.

Presented below is an alphabetical index of articles related to Cornwall:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Michael's Way</span> Footpath in Cornwall, United Kingdom

St Michael’s Way is a waymarked long-distance footpath in Cornwall. It runs for 12.5 miles (20 km) from Lelant on Cornwall’s north coast to St Michael’s Mount on the south coast.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hannigan 1994, p. 191.
  2. 1 2 3 Wills, Dixe (2 November 2019). "And did those feet … 15 pilgrim trails in the UK and Europe". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  3. ↑ Stables, Daniel (21 September 2020). "Britain's best pilgrimage routes, from Saints' Way to Peak Pilgrimage". The Independent.
  4. 1 2 3 Hannigan 1994, p. 193.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cornish Saints' Way - British Pilgrimage Trust". www.britishpilgrimage.org. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Hannigan 1994, p. 198.
  7. 1 2 Cornwall. Ordnance Survey. Basingstoke : Publishing Division, Automobile Association. 1987. p. 36. ISBN   978-0-86145-512-6 – via Internet Archive.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ↑ Hannigan 1994, pp. 197–198.
  9. ↑ Philip Payton. (1996). Cornwall. Fowey: Alexander Associates
  10. ↑ Hannigan 1994, pp. 191–192.
  11. ↑ Hannigan 1994, p. 192.

Works cited

Further reading


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