South Petherwin

South Petherwin is a village about three miles south-south-west of Launceston on the road to Liskeard in East Cornwall. The parish covers around 2,054 hectares and includes the hamlets of Daws House, Trebursye, Tregaller and Trecrogo. The 2011 census recorded a population of 931.

The parish church, dedicated to St Paternus, has an ornate tall tower built from locally quarried Polyphant stone. South Petherwin was historically the Mother Church for Launceston, and the church’s importance is reflected in the scale of the building, which was substantially rebuilt in the 15th century. The village also has a chapel, village hall, primary school and a pub - the Winds of Change - which serves food and ales.

The countryside around South Petherwin is typical East Cornwall farmland, with hedged lanes, pasture and scattered woodland. Launceston, with its Norman castle and weekly farmers’ market, is the nearest town for shops and services. Bodmin Moor lies to the south-west, offering moorland walks and the peaks of Brown Willy and Rough Tor.

South Petherwin works well as a quiet rural base for exploring the eastern edge of Cornwall, with the Tamar Valley and the Devon border both within easy reach. The annual South Petherwin Vintage Rally, held in summer, draws vintage vehicles and steam engines from across the region. A network of footpaths radiates from the village, with a 4-mile circular walk following the River Kensey valley particularly popular in spring when wildflowers line the banks.