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Golant

Golant photos (4 available)

Old photo of Golant

Golant maps (2 available)

Old map of Golant

Golant books (12 available)

Golant memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Cornwall below.

Cornwall memories

Happy Days at Lerryn & St. Veep

As a 10 year old and London evacuee Lerryn became home for a while. First being billeted at a retired naval captain's house by the river near the bridge. His name I believe was Capt. Pippit or similar. He owned a small motor launch moored up the river which was great fun to play on. One day it  disappeared which later in life realised it was taken for Dunkirk. Sad to say it never returned. I can recall whilst playing in the woods nearby meeting two girls and being taken to a large house in the middle and having a drink and biscuits. One girl was Tessa Onslow, the Earl of Onslow's daughter, the other her companion.
Later on I was ...read more here
A memory of Lerryn contributed by John Keene-S

Living in Lerryn

I have such fond memories of growing up in Lerryn during the 1960s, the school was such a pleasure to attend, Mr Sillitoe was headmaster. I can also remeber the regatta every year, it was such a treat to have the fair assembled along the riverbank with mud races in the river. I can even remember a dancing horse and other entertainment in the Ethy house gardens. The two shops were owned by Mr Mansell and most of my time was spent working on my freinds(Derek Collins) farm or making go carts from bits we had managed to reclaim from the tip, we were a big family I had 5 sisters and 3 brothers I can remeber 3 of my sisters ...read more here
A memory of Lerryn contributed by DUNCAN HENDRY

Unchanged Lerryn

Lerryn is a place that one almost wants to keep secret so that it does not become a popular destination. It has barely changed in a hundred years.

A beautiful and unspoilt village in a steep sided valley, Lerryn lies at the tidal head of a tributary to the River Fowey.

A place to take gentle strolls through the National Trust's Ethy Wood, said to be the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's "Tales of the Riverbank" and "Wind in the Willows". One almost expects to come across Mr Toad, Ratty and Mole lounging on the riverbank as we stop to watch a heron pick his leisurely way along the water's edge.

Returning the way we came we ...read more here
A memory of Lerryn contributed by Peter Marks

Most Inspirational Place.....

I have the fondest memories of sheltering under a old brolly with my Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister as we watched a storm roll in from the sea. We were the only ones on the beach all huddled together.........years later I go every year back to that beach and it makes me smile thinking of that happy little family soaking wet but huddled together and very very happy!
I always think of this area as my spiritual home, where my heart really belongs. A truly magical, wonderful place....
A memory of Pridmouth contributed by Zoe Douglas

Extracts From Golant & Cornwall books

Polkerris, Polridmouth Beach near Gribbin Head c1960

This scene has hardly changed for many years; the beach at Polridmouth is still only accessible on foot. Although we are just around the corner from St Austell Bay, this photograph gives us a good view of the prominent day mark erected in 1832 on the Gribbin Head as an aid for shipping entering the bay.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, 1888

The old pilchard-curing cellar, or ‘palace’, beside the shore in the foreground was one of the largest in Cornwall. However, by the time of this early photograph the harbour seems already deserted by the fishing fleet, perhaps in favour of Mevagissey on the far side of the bay.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, 1888

A boat sails across the bay, which was known as Polkerris or Par Bay in the late-18th century. The little village of Polkerris is situated at the end of a sheltered valley on the east shore of St Austell Bay. There was an important pilchard fishery here, and the pier (left) was built in about 1735 for sheltering the fishing boats rather than for trade.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, c1950

Polkerris has hardly changed, with virtually no new houses in 70 years. Here we see the village tucked away in its valley, with the great expanse of the bay reaching beyond to Black Head (centre) and the Dodman Point (left). The garden plots of the houses are prominent, sheltered by hedges and mostly on the south-facing slope on the right.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, the Village c1960

The gable end of the lifeboat house is seen in the background, almost at the end of the road through the village. Stone cottages, teas for sale and no unsightly road markings are the delights of this village.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".