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Pelynt is the village I live in and is situated on the B3359, 3 miles from Looe and Polperro.

Pelynt has an entry in the Domesday Book. At that time it is recorded as paying 40 times the taxes of Looe. There are many pre-historic sites in the parish and the Giant’s Hedge runs through it. The village has two shops and a charming public house. There is also a nice club with weekly membership available. However it is also an historical village with its own church. This church, with its 14th century tower, dominates the busy village of Pelynt, but unhappily it was harshly treated by its Victorian restorers. The interior is dominated by a fine classical arcade of granite columns, erected c. 1680 to replace the Medieval pillars. Perhaps the chief attraction of the church is its association with the renowned Trelawny family. The Trelawny chapel contains many relics and an excellent brief history of the family is on sale in the church. There is a most inspiring description of Pelynt church in the glorious book "Freedom of the Parish" by the late poet Geoffrey Grigson, whose father was the vicar here.

The parish of Pelynt is in the deanery and Hundred of West. It is bounded on the north by Lanreath and Duloe, on the east by Duloe and Talland, on the south by Talland and Lansallos, and on the west by Lansallos and Lanreath. The name means 'parish of' plus name of saint whose identity is not known for certain, but is considered to be St Nonna, the mother of St David of Wales. The small village of Pelynt lies to the north of the coastal resort of Polperro.

The original Trelawne House, home of the Trelawney family, was built in the 13th century. Sir Jonathan Trelawny was one of the seven bishops imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1688 for refusing to implement the Declaration Of Indulgence edicts of King James II; They were tried for sedition, but acquitted. He is the the subject of the Cornish Anthem bearing his surname. The nearby manor of Tregarrick was the home of the Winslades. John Winslade was executed in 1549 for his support of the Cornish Prayer Book rebellion. 

The Church in Pelynt is built “on the round” on an Iron Age site and is dedicated to St Nun, who as mentioned above was reputed to be the mother of St David. The recorded list of rectors goes back to the 13th century. The present church is 14th century and was renovated in the late 19th century. It is already the focal point for visitors from near and far.

Pelynt is in an Area of Great Landscape Value and near an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Parish contains a number of archaeological sites. As well as farming and tourism there are a number of small businesses in and around the village.

PELYNT NOW AND THEN

Here are some interesting population statistics showing that in more tha a hundred years the population of Pelynt has only doubled to around 1200 people

Population in 1801 - 630 persons Population in 1811 - 708 persons Population in 1821 - 750 persons Population in 1831 - 804 persons Population in 1841 - 834 persons Population in 1851 - 799 persons Population in 1861 - 729 persons Population in 1871 - 769 persons Population in 1881 - 671 persons Population in 1891 - 662 persons

Population in 1901 - 506 persons Population in 1911 - 494 persons Population in 1921 - 476 persons Population in 1931 - 464 persons Population in 1951 - 486 persons Population in 1961 - 475 persons Population in 1971 - 712 persons Population in 1981 - 1095 persons Population in 1991 - 1069 persons Population in 2001 - 1124 persons

There are a number of thumbnail pictures for you below illustrating the village as it is now and also some older pictures from only around 45 years ago. It is astonishing how it has changed in that short time. Please click on the thumbnails for a larger picture.

Send mail to paul@pshumphries.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 P S Humphries
Last modified: October 09, 2006