Penhallow: Churches, Crosses and Pilgrimage History

Penhallow offers a range of themes relating to St Piran: church architecture, medieval remains and pilgrimage history. Healeys complements these historical aspects with self-guided tours. When choosing a destination and hotel, it can be helpful to compare the different highlights.

St Piran’s Church: Architecture and remembrance

St Piran’s Church in Penhallow has a 15th-century arcade with five bays. The term “five-bay” describes its division into five bays. The churchyard is also home to an original stone cross, which tradition says was created by St Piran. This attribution is part of local tradition; the cross itself is an original stone cross.

The churchyard also contains war graves of people who died at Penhale Camp during the Second World War. Architecture, religious tradition and remembrance are therefore closely connected with the church and its churchyard.

Parking is available beside the church in a nearby lay-by. The church also has a ramp and accessible parking spaces. If you are planning a visit to the church, check the current opening hours in advance.

Medieval remains in the surrounding area

Near the centre of the extensive Penhale Sands dune system, the remains of the medieval St Piran’s Church lie in the area around Penhallow. The surviving walls reach heights of up to three metres. St Piran’s Cross, an early medieval wheel-headed cross, stands 17 metres south of the medieval church. Beside the cross, the foundations of an abandoned 12th-century church are visible. The walls, cross and foundations each offer different clues to the religious and architectural history of the area.

St Piran’s Oratory and pilgrimage history

St Piran’s Oratory in the area around Penhallow is an early Christian chapel associated with a Christian cult centre dating to the 6th or 7th century. In the Middle Ages, the oratory was a place of pilgrimage. It was deliberately buried in sand for protection. Its early Christian classification, medieval role as a pilgrimage site and this protective measure shed light on different aspects of its history. As a waymark on the Cornish Celtic Way, St Piran’s Oratory is also part of a pilgrimage route.

A model of the oratory is on display at Perranzabuloe Museum. It presents the chapel in a museum setting, providing a distinct point of interest for anyone interested in its history.

Self-guided tours at Healeys

Healeys in Penhallow offers self-guided tours of its museum, distillery and cellars. The focus here is on exploring these three areas independently. The experience therefore differs in theme from the churches, monuments and pilgrimage sites associated with St Piran.

The main themes are easy to distinguish when choosing a destination: St Piran’s Church and its churchyard represent architecture and remembrance; the remains in the surrounding area represent medieval architectural and religious history; and the oratory represents early Christianity and pilgrimage history. Healeys adds to the picture with its self-guided tours. These differences can help you weigh up your interests when looking for a hotel in Penhallow.

Discover more destinations: Ludgvan, Camelford, Saint Cleer, St Wenn, Mevagissey, Stithians, Saint Blazey, Launceston

For the full travel overview: Cornwall.