Perranporth Celtic History Iron Age History Poldark Perranporth

Perranzabuloe Folk Museum

For a thorough exploration into what inspired Winston Graham to write his 12 Poldark books, and the resulting internationally popular Poldark TV series, the Perranzabuloe Folk Museum is well worth a look. Free to get in there's a variety of exhibitions including the Winston Graham Memorial exhibition. Graham was a patron of this museum for many years, and a Poldark Trail plan has been designed exploring key hotspots in the Perranporth area which feature in the novels and tv series! Pick up a map from the museum. A must visit for all Poldark and Winston Graham fans is this little gem of a museum. Winston Graham wrote his Poldark novels in a bungalow in Perranporth which is no longer standing, but there are plans afoot to erect a bench in his memory by the museum.

The folk museum is situated in 100 year old Oddfellows Hall, and as well as plenty of Graham and Poldark memorabilia you'll discover exhibitions on the social and industrial history of the area, including fascinating insights into tin mining, farming, the railway and Cornish costume and customs. A replica of a Cornish kitchen is also inside the museum.

Perranzabuloe Folk Museum, Oddfellows Hall, Ponsmere Road, Perranporth, Cornwall. Free Admission. Opening times for 2006. 10th April to 21st October, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30 - 4.30pm, Saturdays 11.00 - 1.00pm.

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St Piran's Round Iron Age Fort

Perran's Round or St Piran's Round was originally an Iron Age farmstead settlement, but was adopted in the Medieval period as a play area or Plen-an-gwary. It's been a most popular site for religious ceremonies since Medieval times and still brings in the various ceremonies! The site is often described and Britain's oldest theatre. Many denominations and groups have performed on this site, including Celtic, Druid, Methodist and Catholic ceremonies. It's been a popular haunt for political meetings too!

Pilgrims used to pass across Perran Round during the Dark Ages and the heyday of Celtic Christianity on their way to St Piran's Oratory. Cornish plays and so forth were performed here at the round to keep the pilgrims entertained, many of whom had come all the way from Ireland. There are strong Irish and Cornish links here between St Piran and Kieran of Saighir - both Saints have 5th March as their celebratory day and St Piran is believed to have been born in Ireland. Speculation if further fuelled by the fact that in the Cornish Celtic dialect 'Ps' were pronounced with a hard 'K'. There were several 100 Rounds in Cornwall, but Perran is the only one surviving so well worth the detour for a viewing.

No doubt John Wesley would have preached here, and it's been well used by Methodists - and urr the odd wrestling competition. The preservation of this historic Round is largely due to local residents who in the early 1980s cleared the site and began again to hold services and events there.

Perran's Round or St Piran's Iron Age farmstead is easy to get too, just 1.2km along the B3285 from Goonhavern (towards Perranporth), and situated on the north side of the road, just off a small lane opposite a pink house. Parking is provided, just off the main road and there is open access to the land, with a stile into the enclosure. Check the Piran Trust's weblink to the right for a comprehensive map and details on the history of the site.

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St Piran's Oratory & the Old Church

St Piran's Oratory is long buried in the sand on Gear Sands, but the site can still be viewed. The stone building currently buried is not believed to be the original St Piran Oratory, rather one rebuilt in the 6th Century. A large graveyard is also buried under there. The site is of real historic interest, and once attracted pilgrims from far and wide.

Also in Perranporth of historic interest is the Old Church which in large part due to the St Piran's Trust work is increasingly attracting more excavation attention, with much work planned for the area. Very good news for visitors interested in such sites. The original church dated back to the 10th Century and was modelled on the abandoned oratory finally given up to the sand. For about 800 years this church was a significant site within Cornwall with many pilgrims coming to pay homage to St Piran.

English Heritage have been in the area, and funds have been put forward for excavation of the church which is partially covered in sand and in need of much excavation work. Watch this space and St Piran developments!

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