Forgotten Corner of Cornwall
Encyclopedia
South East Cornwall
South East Cornwall is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, including the Rame Peninsula
Rame Peninsula
The Rame Peninsula is a peninsula in south-east Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. The peninsula is surrounded by the English Channel to the south, Plymouth Sound to the east, and the estuary of the River Lynher to the north...
and the town of Torpoint
Torpoint
Torpoint is a civil parish and town on the Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated opposite the city of Plymouth across the Hamoaze which is the tidal estuary of the River Tamar....
, as well as villages like Antony
Antony, Cornwall
Antony is a coastal civil parish and a village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.The village is situated on the Rame Peninsula about three miles west of Torpoint and has a shop, a pub and a garage....
, Downderry
Downderry
Downderry is a coastal village in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated 18 miles west of Plymouth and one mile east of Seaton.Downderry has a long beach of light shingle. Dogs are allowed on the beach...
, Polbathic
Polbathic
Polbathic is a village within the parish of St Germans in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.The Polbathic Community Hall houses a snooker club and is the rehearsal venue for the famous Polbathic Players who perform their own scripted pantomime each year on the Thursday, Friday and...
, Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle is a small coastal village in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated at the western end of Whitsand Bay five miles south-west of Saltash....
and Widegates
Widegates
Widegates is a village in south-east Cornwall, about 4 miles north of Looe. It is on the A387 road about two miles west of Hessenford.The centre of the village lacks any sort of local amenities but there is a nearby farm shop on its outskirts. Widegates has a population of approximately...
.
Description
There is no precise geographical definition for the "corner," but it is taken to mean (by local residents) all of the Rame PeninsulaRame Peninsula
The Rame Peninsula is a peninsula in south-east Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. The peninsula is surrounded by the English Channel to the south, Plymouth Sound to the east, and the estuary of the River Lynher to the north...
, as well all of the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
coast area to the east of (but not including) Looe
Looe
Looe is a small coastal town, fishing port and civil parish in the former Caradon district of south-east Cornwall, England, with a population of 5,280 . Looe is divided in two by the River Looe, East Looe and West Looe being connected by a bridge...
. The northern boundary of the corner is defined by the A38 road
A38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
.
It is reputed to be "forgotten" because the area is effectively by-passed by visitors to Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, as well as being geographically remote from the administrative headquarters of Cornwall at Truro
Truro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
. It is over 50 miles away from the Cornish capital.
It is isolated due to its geography, as it is bounded by the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
, Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound, or locally just The Sound, is a bay at Plymouth in England.Its southwest and southeast corners are Penlee Point in Cornwall and Wembury Point on Devon, a distance of about 3 nautical miles . Its northern limit is Plymouth Hoe giving a north-south distance of nearly 3 nautical miles...
, the River Tamar
River Tamar
The Tamar is a river in South West England, that forms most of the border between Devon and Cornwall . It is one of several British rivers whose ancient name is assumed to be derived from a prehistoric river word apparently meaning "dark flowing" and which it shares with the River Thames.The...
and the River Lynher
River Lynher
The River Lynher flows through east Cornwall, UK, passing St Germans and enters the River Tamar at the Hamoaze, which in turn flows into Plymouth Sound.-Geography:...
. Visitors have to double back on themselves after taking the main A38 road
A38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
at Trerulefoot
Trerulefoot
Trerulefoot is a village in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is located on the A38 trunk road approximately half-way between the towns of Saltash and Liskeard. Trerulefoot has a farm shop, two cafés and a petrol filling station....
and onto the A374
A374 road
The A374 is a main road in the United Kingdom, one of six A-roads making the border crossing between Devon and Cornwall. It is the most southerly of the A37x group of roads, starting and ending its journey with the A38 trunk road, from the outskirts of Plymouth in Devon to the Trerulefoot...
. There are no main railway stations within the area, the nearest is at St Germans
St Germans railway station
St Germans Station serves the village of St Germans in Cornwall, UK. The Station is operated by First Great Western and west of Plymouth.It is situated immediately west of the large St Germans viaduct.Both platforms have step-free entrances...
, which has a limited train service. However there is a frequent vehicular ferry
Torpoint Ferry
The Torpoint Ferry is a car and pedestrian chain ferry, connecting the A374 road which crosses the Hamoaze, a stretch of water at the mouth of the River Tamar, between Devonport in Plymouth and Torpoint in Cornwall...
to Torpoint from Plymouth, and a passenger ferry to Cremyll
Cremyll
Cremyll is a coastal village in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately one mile west of Plymouth.Cremyll is on the Rame Peninsula facing Plymouth Sound. The Cremyll Ferry carries foot passengers and cyclists from Cremyll to Plymouth...
from Stonehouse, Plymouth
Stonehouse, Plymouth
East Stonehouse is one of three towns that were amalgamated into modern-day Plymouth. West Stonehouse was a village that is within the current Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall...
. In the summer season there is also a passenger ferry from Plymouth to Cawsand.
The area effectively became more remote when the then new Saltash Road Bridge
Tamar Bridge
The Tamar Bridge is a major road bridge at Saltash in southwest England carrying traffic between Cornwall and Devon. When it opened in 1961 it was the longest suspension bridge in the United Kingdom...
on the A38 road
A38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
was opened in 1961. Before the opening of this bridge, and the improvements to the A30 road
A30 road
The 284 miles A30 road from London to Land's End, historically known as the Great South West Road used to provide the most direct route from London to the south west; more recently the M3 motorway and A303 road performs this function for much of the route and only parts of A30 now retain trunk...
from Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
to Penzance
Penzance
Penzance is a town, civil parish, and port in Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. It is the most westerly major town in Cornwall and is approximately 75 miles west of Plymouth and 300 miles west-southwest of London...
, most road traffic entered Cornwall using the Torpoint Ferry
Torpoint Ferry
The Torpoint Ferry is a car and pedestrian chain ferry, connecting the A374 road which crosses the Hamoaze, a stretch of water at the mouth of the River Tamar, between Devonport in Plymouth and Torpoint in Cornwall...
, taking visitors directly into this area. After the bridge opened, and continued dual carriageway improvements were made on the A30 road
A30 road
The 284 miles A30 road from London to Land's End, historically known as the Great South West Road used to provide the most direct route from London to the south west; more recently the M3 motorway and A303 road performs this function for much of the route and only parts of A30 now retain trunk...
, traffic travelling through this part of Cornwall reduced greatly.
The Rame Peninsula part of the Forgotten Corner is included in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
. It is also steeped in history, with many military forts
Forts in Cornwall
There are over 80 hill forts in Cornwall dating from the Iron Age, Roman and post-Roman periods, with most showing evidence of occupation and re-occupation by the Cornish Cornovii tribe. Two of the most impressive, at opposite ends of Cornwall, are Chûn Castle, near Penzance and Warbstow Bury in...
, and archaeological points of interest. The area is essentially rural, with the main industry being agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. It is also a residential commuting
Commuting
Commuting is regular travel between one's place of residence and place of work or full time study. It sometimes refers to any regular or often repeated traveling between locations when not work related.- History :...
area for Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
. The area also has some of the wealthiest areas within Cornwall, as well as some of the poorest.
Historical note: Until boundary reform in the 19th century parts of the Rame Peninsula formed part of Devon as the manors had been possessions of Tavistock Abbey
Tavistock Abbey
Tavistock Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Rumon, is a ruined Benedictine abbey in Tavistock, Devon. Nothing remains of the abbey except the refectory, two gateways and a porch. The abbey church, dedicated to Our Lady and St Rumon, was destroyed by Danish raiders in 997 and...
from Norman times.
Places
Places in the district include: AntonyAntony, Cornwall
Antony is a coastal civil parish and a village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.The village is situated on the Rame Peninsula about three miles west of Torpoint and has a shop, a pub and a garage....
, Cawsand
Cawsand
Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated on the Rame Peninsula and is in the parish of Maker-with-Rame....
, Crafthole
Crafthole
Crafthole is a village in Cornwall, England, UK....
, Cremyll
Cremyll
Cremyll is a coastal village in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately one mile west of Plymouth.Cremyll is on the Rame Peninsula facing Plymouth Sound. The Cremyll Ferry carries foot passengers and cyclists from Cremyll to Plymouth...
, Downderry
Downderry
Downderry is a coastal village in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated 18 miles west of Plymouth and one mile east of Seaton.Downderry has a long beach of light shingle. Dogs are allowed on the beach...
, Fourlanesend, Freathy
Freathy
Freathy is a beach and coastal settlement on the Rame Peninsula in east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.Freathy is accessible by the coast road along which runs the South West Coast Path...
, Hessenford
Hessenford
Hessenford is a small village in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is four miles west of St Germans.Hessenford is part of the united parishes of St Germans, Hessenford, Downderry and Tideford....
, Higher Wilcove, Kingsand
Kingsand
Kingsand and Cawsand are twin villages in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom. The villages are situated on the Rame Peninsula and in the parish of Maker-with-Rame....
, Lower Tregantle
Lower Tregantle
Lower Tregantle is a hamlet in Cornwall, England, UK. It is about half a mile south of Antony; Higher Tregantle is about a quarter of a mile further south....
, Maker, Millbrook
Millbrook, Cornwall
Millbrook is a civil parish and village in southeast Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated on the Rame Peninsula four miles south of Saltash....
, Mount Edgcumbe House
Mount Edgcumbe House
Mount Edgcumbe House is a stately home in south-east Cornwall. It is a Grade II listed building and the gardens are listed as Grade I in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England....
, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is one of four designated Country Parks in Cornwall. It is situated on the Rame Peninsula, overlooking Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar....
, Penlee
Penlee Point, Rame
Penlee Point is a coastal headland to the southeast of the village of Rame in southeast Cornwall, England, UK. The point lies at the entrance to Plymouth Sound.-Historical locations:...
, Polbathic
Polbathic
Polbathic is a village within the parish of St Germans in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.The Polbathic Community Hall houses a snooker club and is the rehearsal venue for the famous Polbathic Players who perform their own scripted pantomime each year on the Thursday, Friday and...
, Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle is a small coastal village in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated at the western end of Whitsand Bay five miles south-west of Saltash....
, Rame, Rame Head
Rame Head
Rame Head is a coastal headland, southwest of the village of Rame in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom.-History and antiquities:The site was used for a hill fort in the Iron Age. The headland has a prominent chapel, dedicated to St Michael, accessible by a steep footpath...
, Rame Peninsula
Rame Peninsula
The Rame Peninsula is a peninsula in south-east Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. The peninsula is surrounded by the English Channel to the south, Plymouth Sound to the east, and the estuary of the River Lynher to the north...
, Seaton
Seaton, Cornwall
Seaton is a village on the south coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated at the mouth of the River Seaton approximately three miles east of Looe and ten miles west of Plymouth. The village is in the civil parish of Deviock....
, Seaton Valley Countryside Park
Seaton Valley Countryside Park
Seaton Valley Countryside Park is the newest of Cornwall's four Country Parks. It is situated in the Seaton valley between the villages of Seaton and Hessenford....
, Sheviock
Sheviock
Sheviock is a coastal civil parish and a hamlet in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. The parish is two miles south of St Germans and three miles south-west of Saltash....
, St John
St John, Cornwall
St John is a coastal civil parish and a village in south-east Cornwall, United Kingdom south of Saltash and south-east of Torpoint.-Geography:...
, Torpoint
Torpoint
Torpoint is a civil parish and town on the Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated opposite the city of Plymouth across the Hamoaze which is the tidal estuary of the River Tamar....
, Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay, situated in south east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom runs from Rame Head in the east to Portwrinkle in the west. It is characterised by sheer, high cliffs, dramatic scenery and long stretches of sandy beaches...
, Widegates
Widegates
Widegates is a village in south-east Cornwall, about 4 miles north of Looe. It is on the A387 road about two miles west of Hessenford.The centre of the village lacks any sort of local amenities but there is a nearby farm shop on its outskirts. Widegates has a population of approximately...
, and Withnoe Barton.