Crantock

To the south of Newquay lies the beautiful estuary of the River Gannel. Although the river is modest in stature, over the millennia it has created a wonderful inland sandy haven for countless seabirds and a place of tranquility in which to escape the excitements of Newquay. The river also acts as the natural boundary between the parishes of Newquay and Crantock - and herein lies one of the secret gems of the North Cornwall coast.

In days gone by, hidden from the sea by its sand dunes, the little community of Crantock snuggled around its church and had, from the 12th century until it closed in 1545, a famous college which was a great seat of learning. But the village’s history goes back even further than that, and had its origins in the arrival of one of the 6th century Celtic saints, Carantoc. At one time it was known as Langurroc – ‘The Dwelling of Monks’ for it was a major centre of religious activity before the Norman Conquest. After the Conquest it was given to a Norman nobleman, who in turn gave it to Montacute Priory in Dorest. Not all signs of Crantock’s Celtic past are lost, for in the centre of the village is the Round Garden, now owned by the National Trust, but which is almost certainly the site of one of the seven Celtic chapels that would have surrounded the original church. The Round Garden is in fact an orchard and one can sit there and enjoy the peace of this ancient place. St Carantoc Parish Church, which was once collegiate, contains a particularly beautiful rood screen. In 1412 the tower of the Norman church collapsed, destroying the nave. Not surprisingly, a few centuries ago, Crantock attracted smugglers and the village’s old thatched inn, The Old Albion, was a well-known hideaway.

Crantock’s long history has made it a place of visual delight and rural charm, but and it has much to offer today’s visitor - n. Not least the warm welcome you will receive - but, there are also art and craft shops, a tea garden, restaurants, pubs, one of the most beautiful beaches on the north Cornish coast (although swimming is not advised) and miles and miles of wonderful paths along which you may walk in almost any direction.

Available Guidebooks for this region:

Digital Editions by county of the Hidden Places Guides are available Free of Charge. To download please Click Here