Discover Saint Neot: Culture and Bodmin Moor

Saint Neot lies in a protected valley on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor in south-east Cornwall. The village brings together landscapes, ecclesiastical history and living traditions within a compact area of interest, without this having to result in a fixed daily itinerary.

Church, Holy Well and historical traces

One of the village’s defining buildings is the Church of St Anietus in Saint Neot. It is listed as a Grade I listed building and is open daily from 8 am until sunset. This means that a visit can be fitted flexibly into the day. St Neot's Holy Well is also located in the centre of the village. It is a few hundred yards along a small lane that begins between “Cott” and “Carlyon House”, on the church side of the bridge. The spring was restored in 1852 and 1996. Those interested in local history and religious heritage will find a specific site here with several layers of historical significance.

South of the Church of St Anietus, on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, stands Trewane Cross. The medieval churchyard cross adds another testimony to the history of the village to a visit to the church. Another aspect of local tradition is Oak Apple Day, a traditional annual event in Saint Neot. For an insight into present-day village life, the Saint Neot Produce Market is worth visiting: it takes place in the village hall on the first Saturday of every month from 9 am to 12 noon.

Walk and mining heritage

Carnglaze’s Woodland Walk leads through Quarry Wood to a panoramic view of the village of Saint Neot. Along the way are Hubert’s House and various wood carvings; the circular route then leads back to the main site and takes around 20 minutes. This manageable walk can be a small outing in its own right or complement a day when historical themes are not the sole focus.

Carnglaze is the only slate mine in Cornwall and played an important role in the county’s mining heritage. Together with the Woodland Walk, this site offers a different way of experiencing Saint Neot and its surroundings: alongside the church, spring and village events, the history of slate working also becomes visible. The circular walk and the mine focus on different aspects: landscape and wood carvings in one case, and Cornwall’s slate history in the other. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to focus on cultural discoveries, the short circular walk or the mining heritage.

More places to consider

If you would like to compare Saint Neot with other places, you can also include Millbrook, Leedstown, Probus, Crowan, Carlyon Bay, Saint Austell, Camborne and Gwinear in your wider selection.

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.