St Ervan

St Ervan is a rural civil parish and hamlet about three miles south-west of Padstow in north Cornwall. The parish includes the hamlets of Penrose and Rumford in addition to the small churchtown settlement of St Ervan itself. The 2011 census recorded a population of 521.

The parish is named after St Erbyn, who is said to have been the father of St Selevan. The parish church, dedicated to St Hermes, has an unusual truncated tower. Originally built to about 50 feet in the 14th or 15th century, the upper portion was brought down by explosives in the 1880s and the tower was not properly capped until 1956 - it now stands at 24 feet.

Other notable features include the village hall and a Nonconformist Cemetery opened in 1919 to serve three local chapels. The church is part of the Lann Pydar benefice alongside St Eval, St Mawgan and St Columb Major.

The North Cornwall coast is within easy reach, with Constantine Bay, Harlyn Bay and Trevone all a short drive to the north-west. Padstow’s harbour and restaurants are about 15 minutes away by car. St Ervan appeals to visitors who prefer a countryside setting close to the coast without being in a resort village.