St Winnow is a church village in the South Coast - Eastern National Landscape on the River Fowey. St Winnow Church is set beside the water; it also has its own architectural history, distinctive features of its bell ring and a named circular walking route. The church’s architecture and bell history lead into the history of the village, while the route reveals the same destination from a walker’s perspective.

Landscape and getting to the church

The South Coast - Eastern National Landscape extends inland along the River Fowey as far as St Winnow. The access road is an important practical consideration when travelling to St Winnow Parish Church: the approach is via narrow lanes that descend steeply beneath beech trees. Take these roads into account when planning a visit to the church.

Two historical threads

The present-day St Winnow Church was built in the 15th century and restored in the 19th century. It is a Grade I listed building. St Nectan’s Chapel has its own historical story: it was altered in the 15th century and mentioned in documents from 1250 as a daughter church of St Winnow. The two churches therefore have different points of reference: the building and restoration history of the parish church, and the chapel’s early written mention and later alterations. This distinction helps place them in their historical context without merging the stories of the two buildings into a single chronology.

Bells and churchyard

St Winnow Parish Church has the world’s lightest ring of ten bells hung in a church tower for full-circle ringing. It also has the only ring of ten bells cast at the same time in Cornwall. These features use different points of comparison: one concerns the weight of a ring of ten bells by global standards and its suspension for full-circle ringing, while the other concerns the bells’ having been cast together, compared with others in Cornwall. The bell history thus combines a technical feature with a regional distinction.

The churchyard offers another distinct aspect. It takes part in the “Cornwall Living Churchyard” programme and is managed as a “Living Churchyard” as part of a national initiative to promote biodiversity. Its connection with nature is therefore tied to the care of the churchyard and complements the themes of the building and its bells.

The “Lerryn to St Winnow” circular walk

The 5.1-mile moderate circular route follows the River Fowey and Lerryn to St Winnow Church, which stands beside the water. The walk thus links the river landscape with the church village along a defined route. Its length and difficulty are two clear points to bear in mind when planning; at the same time, the walk remains a distinct activity from a visit to the church. You can make the walk your main focus or combine it with an interest in the church’s history. This offers two different ways to experience a stay in St Winnow: exploring its historical details and taking the walk that leads to the riverside church.

Discover more destinations: Saint Newlyn East, Launcells, Penhallow, Probus, Sladesbridge, Mawnan Smith, Saltash, Saint Ives

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.