St Columb Major - town in Cornwall, UK
St Columb Major is a town in Cornwall in England. The designation Major distinguishes it from the smaller settlement and parish of St Columb Minor on the coast.
"Cornish hurling" or "silverball" (Cornish: Hyrlîan) is a medieval game once common throughout Cornwall but now only played in St Columb and St Ives. The game takes place first on Pancake Day (moves around in February) and then again on the Saturday eleven days later. The game involves two teams of several hundred people (the 'townsmen' and the 'countrymen') who endeavour to carry a ball made of apple wood covered in silver to goals set roughly two miles (3 km) apart, making the parish the largest pitch for a ball game anywhere in the world.
Get in
By plane
- Cornwall Airport Newquay (IATA: NQY), 50.440833°, -4.995278°. About five minutes away by car. There are Car Hire businesses on site. (Be aware of harsh parking conditions, complete with expensive fines enforced by number plate recognition). 2021-01-12
By bus
First Devon and Cornwall buses 93 and 94 both link the town to and from Newquay, the former continuing on to Truro and the latter to Wadebridge. Timetables are available here (dead link: January 2023).
Get around
- BioTravel Taxi and Minibus Company
- The town is central to Cornwall, making it and its by-passes a waypoint for many journeys between the North coast and central locations.
See
- St Columba's Church, 50.43573°, -4.94021°. Patron saint of which the town is named after. Has some fine medieval bench ends and almost became a cathedral instead of Truro.
- St Columba's Well, 50.406°, -4.908°. holy well
- Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, Winnard's Perch, TR9 6DH, 50.457582°, -4.924625°, +44 1637 880544. 10AM-5PM.
- Cornwall's Crealy Park.
- Screech owl sanctuary, Goss Moor, TR9 6HP, 50.407°, -4.898°, +44 1726 860182.
Nearest beaches within a 20 minute drive include:
- Constantine Bay Beach - Padstow
- Crantock Beach - near Newquay
- Fistral Beach - Newquay
- Harlyn Bay Beach - Padstow
- Holywell - Newquay
- Lusty Glaze Beach - Newquay
- Mawgan Porth Beach - Newquay
- Porthcothan Beach - Polzeath
- Porth Beach - Newquay
- Trevone Bay Beach - near Padstow
- Treyarnon Bay Beach - Padstow
- Watergate Bay Beach - near Newquay
Do
For walking there is an excellent footpath to St Mawgan village through the vale of Lanherne. The path is suitable for all walkers and offers good scenic views and passes through some woodlands at Carnanton.
- Springfields Fun Park
- The Flowrider - surf simulator at Retallick Park.
Buy
- The Co-operative for groceries, fresh produce, fresh bread, daily newspapers, magazines, off-licence, lottery, tobacco, paypoint, sim cards and cash withdrawal.
- Cornwall Hospice Care
- Mole Valley Farmers for Farm, Building and DIY supplies.
- Ann's Surf Cottage for Surf and leisure goods.
Eat
- Ellery Butchers for Pasties
- Morris Butchers for Pasties
- The Glebe House does teas and cakes.
Drink
- The Coaching Inn 'Olde worlde' pub.
- Red Lion A locals pub with live music on Saturdays.
- Ring O' Bells Character pub that has a selection of real ales and has a restaurant for food including Sunday lunches.
- The Silver Ball Family pub, morning coffees available. Occasionally live music. Has a beer garden at the rear.
Sleep
Although there are no large hotels in the area, there are a number of self-catering and bed and breakfast properties in the St Columb area.
- Middle Cottage
- Nankivell
- Pennatillie Farm (b&b)
- The Bungalow
- Trebell Barn
- Trewan Hall Campsite, 50.4447°, -4.9431°. Pitches for tents and caravans. Outdoor swimming pool and visiting food vans in summer. The Hall is not open for visiting, but the gardens are occasionally open as part of the National Gardens Scheme. 2021-01-12