Excursions in the County of Cornwall / Comprising a Concise Historical and Topographical Delineation of the Principal Towns and Villages, Together With Descriptions of the Residences of the Nobility and Gentry, Remains of Antiquity, and Every Other Interesting Object of Curiosity

by Frederick Wilton Litchfield Stockdale

Go where we list—prophetic is the strain,

We ne’er shall look upon thy like again.”

From Tregony to Grampound the distance is about two miles, within half a mile of which, on the left, is the parish church called Creed, a neat embattled structure, pleasantly surrounded by foliage. Here, till very lately, as rector, lived the Rev. William Gregor, one whom fame will ever eulogize as a being of a superior order; he is well known as a very scientific gentleman, and was the intimate friend of Mr. Whitaker. In this parish is a capital modern-built house, with beautiful gardens and fish ponds, the residence of the Rev. George Moore.

Grampound is remarkable as having been, till lately, one of the Borough-towns of the county.[^[11]] It principally consists of one street, the houses having a decayed and mean appearance. Nearly in the centre stand a very antient Chapel, and Market-house: the former, now fast mouldering to decay, has a small septangular cross in front of it. Grampound contains, according to the late returns, 668 inhabitants, being an increase of only 67 during the last 20 years.

Crossing an antient bridge over the Fal at the bottom of the town, from which its name is derived, the distance to Probus is two miles and a half, and within one mile of that village, on the left, is Trewitham, the seat of Sir Christopher Hawkins, Bart., M.P. It is a spacious mansion, commanding a number of diversified prospects; the interior is embellished with a few good paintings and portraits, and also contains a very valuable selection of books. Much praise is due to its owner, for his unwearied endeavours to promote the mining interests of the county. He is a scientific gentleman, and has written a small interesting Treatise on Tin, &c.

The Church of Probus has often been noticed for the simplicity of its architecture, the tower of which rises majestically to the height of 108 feet, which, contrasted with the low humble thatched cottages surrounding it, has a very picturesque appearance. Each angle of the tower is supported by a double buttress, diminishing in size as they approach the top, which is embellished with embrasures, and 40 pinnacles in eight clustres. The plinth, cornices, and upper story, are decorated with a variety of sculpture, consisting of small figures, foliage, fleurdelis, animals, and other objects. On the north and south sides are three Gothic niches.[^[12]] The interior contains a large marble monument to the memory of Thomas Hawkins Esq., of Trewitham, on which is a female figure reclining on an urn. The accompanying view of the church was engraved from a drawing by the Rev. George A. Moore, of Garlennich, near Grampound.

At a distance of two miles north from Probus, in the parish of Ladock, in one of the most picturesque vales in the county, stands Pessick, which, though a very small village, possesses great beauties.

Tregothnan, the seat of the Earl of Falmouth, is indeed a beautiful mansion lately erected at a very considerable expense, from the designs of W. Wilkins, Esq., and, in point of beauty, is surpassed by none in the county. The situation of the house is really delightful, and may be considered as one of the most enchanting spots in the kingdom. It is built on a gentle eminence commanding a great variety of extensive prospects, which are enlivened by the winding courses of the river Fal.

In the construction of this mansion, the architect has made a very choice selection of the most perfect examples extant. Its irregularity of form, and variety of ornament, closely resemble the style of the buildings erected during the reign of Henry VII. The great staircase is 42 feet in height, and occupies the large central tower, around which are placed the drawingroom, (54 feet long by 28 feet wide,) book room, dining room, billiard room, &c. A wide terrace with a parapet extends round the south-western part of the building; the Park is embellished with some very fine timber, and a very pleasant ride has been formed along the banks of the river, extending some miles.

The Church of St. Michael Penkervil, which almost adjoins the park, is an antient fabric, and contains a handsome monument by Rysbrach, to the memory of the late Admiral Boscawen.