St Columb Major: History and Hurling

St Columb Major offers several historical points of interest: church architecture, prehistoric sites and a distinctive hurling tradition. These subjects differ both in period and in nature. If you plan your trip around your cultural interests, you can choose between architectural history, archaeological traces and a local sporting custom.

Church of St Columba: architectural history and features

The Church of St Columba is a Grade I listed building. It dates back to the 14th century and was extended in the 15th century. Restoration followed in the mid to late 19th century. Its history therefore spans a medieval origin, a later extension and a considerably more recent restoration phase.

The late medieval choir stalls include 33 bench ends. Among the carvings is a dog preaching to a pig. This single motif adds a specific detail about the church’s features to the broader periods of its architectural history. Visitors interested in churches and historical imagery will find an unusual depiction here alongside the architecture.

A ramp can be used by prior arrangement; it is not permanently in place. If you depend on the ramp, arrange its use before your visit.

Other historical traces

Distinct periods can also be identified in other buildings: the gate piers and walls at the southern entrance to Trewan Hall date from the early 19th century. The Old Rectory stands on the site of a medieval rectory that was surrounded by a moat. This rectory is considered the only example of its kind in Cornwall. The evidence differs: at Trewan Hall, it is the dated entrance features; at the Old Rectory, it is the connection with a medieval predecessor building.

Prehistoric sites and their dating

Castle an Dinas (East) is an Iron Age hillfort on the summit of Castle Downs. iWalk Cornwall offers a walking guide for a circular route around Castle an Dinas on its website and in its app. Check that the guide is available before you travel.

Devil’s Quoit marks the site of a Neolithic megalithic chamber tomb. The tomb was destroyed around 1870; the stone at Devil’s Quoit is thought to be the tomb’s capstone. The comparison in dates places the two archaeological sites in different periods of prehistory: Castle an Dinas belongs to the Iron Age, while Devil’s Quoit dates to the Neolithic. At Devil’s Quoit, it is also important to distinguish between the destruction of the tomb and the tentative interpretation of the stone.

Hurling in St Columb Major

The hurling game in St Columb Major is one of the three surviving hurling games in Cornwall. A team from the “Town” plays against one from the “Country”. The game is played with a silver-plated ball about the size of a cricket ball. The size comparison serves as a guide; the silver plating is another specific feature of the ball.

The hurling tradition links the games to Shrove Tuesday and the following Saturday. Since Shrove Tuesday falls on a different date each year, check the exact dates for your travel year if you want to plan your stay around them.

Discover more destinations: Gwinear, Madron, Lansallos, Pentewan, Perranwell Station, Duloe, Tresmeer, Camborne.

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.