Discover St Kew

St Kew combines historic buildings and monuments with a circular walk through river valleys. For planning, you can explore three highlights: the Church of St James and the wayside crosses in its churchyard, the St Kew Inn, and the route through the river valleys.

Church and medieval crosses

The Church of St James is a parish church dating from approximately the 15th century. An Ogham stone is located at the western end of the south aisle. The church also has a recently restored medieval window depicting the story of Christ’s Passion. An aisle is a side section of a church interior; specifying the south side and western end pinpoints the stone’s location. The approximate dating places the building in its historical period, while the window adds a specific religious subject. The Church of St James is said to be open daily from around 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. or dusk. Check whether access is currently possible before your visit. Christ’s Passion refers to the story of Jesus’s suffering, making the religious subject depicted easier to understand.

There are two medieval wayside crosses in St Kew churchyard. Polrode Cross is a wheel-headed cross with carefully executed decoration and is protected as a Scheduled Monument. Chapel Amble Cross is also in the churchyard, northwest of the church. The distinction is clear: Polrode is notable for its cross shape, decoration and protected status; Chapel Amble for its precise position relative to the church. Both crosses are medieval, but the protected designation applies to Polrode Cross.

The St Kew Inn

The St Kew Inn dates from the 15th century and retains original features, including an open fireplace. The inn uses locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. This qualification allows for some ingredients to come from elsewhere. Details about the property and its sourcing practices may change, so check the latest information before visiting. The church and inn are both associated with the 15th century, although the Church of St James is explicitly dated only approximately.

Circular walk and views

The “St Kew, St Endellion and Tregellist” circular walk passes through the river valleys around St Kew. From Trewethern, it offers views across the tributary valleys of the River Amble; visibility depends on the weather. For planning, the route and the viewpoint are two distinct aspects: the river valleys shape the circular walk, while Trewethern is the named reference point for the views. Check the path conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Stithians, Lelant, Cardinham, Constantine, Millbrook, Port Isaac, Launceston, Mawgan Porth

For the broader travel guide: Cornwall.