Polzeath — Cornwall, England
Polzeath is a small village in the parish of St. Minver, located on the Atlantic coast in Northern Cornwall, at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.
Polzeath, with its sand and shingle beaches draws thousands of surfers each year for its wonderful and sometimes large surfing waves; as well as for its nature reserve, rock pools, dolphin sightings and coastal bird sightings such as the puffin. For the history buff there is the coastal path through Polzeath which leads to the hut circles where excavations have located 1st century pottery that indicates evidence of trade with the Mediterranean. Cornwall is known to have been settled circa 10,000 BC with hunter-gathers of that time. Known to the Phoenicians and the Greeks, these native Bretons the Carnubii, the Cimbri, and the Damnonii settlements eventually became part of the Roman territories. Following subsequent invasions and annexations, these Celtic speaking communities flourished and grew until the 14th century when two-thirds of its population was lost to the Bubonic Plague. The Southwest communities were affected first and suffered great losses. As they recovered, Polzeath remained a small village and began to gain favour for its beach due to its temperate climate; and eventually as a surfing beach, as it is known today.
When you take the coastal path, look for Doyden Castle, which is considered an architectural folly; however, it is more of a mock castle and was purportedly used for gambling parties in the early 1800's. It is an interesting sight, as in all appearances the castle stands alone, as though on a deserted island, for it is not located in or near a populated village. Of course, it may have actually been built to commemorate the loss of a Port Quin fishing fleet; however, the more "romantic" themes are readily accepted. It can be viewed, as the castle is now owned by the National Trust, and although it can be privately booked for holidays, it is otherwise accessible to the public.
While in the parish of St. Minver, be certain to see St Enodoc, a chapel of ease which dates from the 12th century that was buried by the sand dunes for over several hundred years; until its rescue during the 19th century. The church is located just south of Trebetherick, near Polzeath. After reclaiming the church from the sand, J. P. St. Auby, an English architect of the Victorian era known for his restorations, worked on St. Endoc during the years 1863-64. The church of St. Endoc is also renowned as the resting place of the poet laureate Sir John Betjeman.
There are many listed buildings in this area, such as Skisdon, a Grade II manor house first mentioned in 1350 and formerly a favorite home during the 1860's to Mary Elizabeth Braddon, a novelist of the sensational genre who penned 'Lady Audleys Secret, and other novels. Other listings such as bridges abound here. If you walk across the river Camel, check to see if the bridge is listed, as this river and its tributaries, have more listed bridges than any other river in Cornwall.
Finally, let us not forget C.G. Jung. During the early 1900's the famed Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung began a series of visits to England. It is most interesting to note that Jung spent twelve days at a training seminar in Polzeath during 1923 giving fourteen lectures which included his first extended statement of his views on religion.
Where is Polzeath?Polzeath is located in the southwest of England near the B3314 road.
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