St Allen

There are a number of creatures particular to Cornish folklore, although their cousins can be found elsewhere in Britain under a different name and guise. One of these strains is the ‘Piskie’ also known as a Pixie in other West Country counties. One legend surrounding these mischievous creatures tells of a boy, living in St Allen, who was out picking wild woodland flowers near his home. When he failed to return home for supper, his mother and other villagers began a frantic search. After three days, the boy was found, sleeping peacefully in exactly the same spot where he was last seen; he had no idea what had happened to him in the intervening days. However, what he could remember was that while picking the flowers he had heard a bird singing so beautifully that he had followed the sound of the bird deep into the woods. As day turned into night and the stars came out, the boy had realised that the stars were, in fact, piskies and they had led him to a fantastic cave with crystal pillars studded with jewels where he had been fed on the purest honey. When he awoke from this incredible adventure he found himself back in the woodland close to his home.

The town of St Allen derives its name from this Celtic saint who is possibly the same who became bishop of Quimper in Brittany. A little way north of St Allen, a mile west of the village of Zelah, lies Chyverton Garden, in the grounds of a grand Georgian house built for a wealthy mine owner. The landscaping was added by John Thomas over a 55 year period. He created a small lake by damming a stream, built a bridge and planted 94 acres of woodland. The place is renowned for its rhododendrons and magnolias. Chyverton is open all year by appointment only.