Maker

Dating from the 15th century and retaining much of its original charm, Maker church, whose name is derived from a Cornish word meaning ‘ruin’, was comprehensively restored in the 19th century. It is the family church of the Edgcumbes, and inside the church is a copy of a portrait of the early 18th century vicar here, Thomas Smart. It is not the subject but the artist that makes this work particularly special: at the age of 12, Joshua Reynolds made drawings of the vicar on the back of his hymn book during a service and then, back at a Cremyll boatyard, painted the original portrait on to canvas.

Just north of the church, surrounded by woodland and hidden within an oratory, lies St Julian’s Well, which is dedicated to the 5th century saint who is, aptly for this area, the patron saint of ferrymen. Also known as ‘the poor man’, he was a popular saint in Western Europe, which has also made him the patron saint of innkeepers and - curiously enough - circus performers.

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