Heritage at Risk in the South West Revealed

Pendennis Headland commands outstanding views in almost all directions and has been strategically important for the defence of the British Isles for centuries. The area surrounding, but not including, English Heritage’s Pendennis Castle, has a fascinating variety of historic structures including a Civil War battery, garrison gardens, First World War zig-zag trenches and Second World War gun emplacements. Under the new ownership of Falmouth Town Council, some management work has already begun and a condition survey is being prepared.

Traditionally built and used in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, gigs played a vital role in the nation’s booming maritime trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Many of the surviving sheds that housed these craft are now threatened by coastal erosion, including the 19th century gig shed at Porth Askin on St Agnes. It survives relatively undisturbed, its floor is preserved under stabilised wind-blown sand, and several courses of its stonework walls still exist. Now within the reach of the highest waves, its seaward end has been washed away and is at risk of further erosion.

This five-arched packhorse bridge is believed to have been built in the 15th century to serve the nearby priory of Launceston. Because it only carries foot traffic, it is a rare example of a monument that has survived almost unchanged. The bridge is used daily by the local community.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns the bridge suffered increased vandalism and a number of the large slates capping the edge of the bridge were dislodged and knocked into the river or stolen. Cobbles from the footway went missing and vegetation growth increased. 

All these problems were addressed in 2022 with a programme of sympathetic repair works carried out by Cormac Solutions for Cornwall Council.  

St Cleer Holy Well and Cross is the only example of a well house with an open porch-like design in Cornwall. The open, arched form of the structure, with a steep gabled roof was probably intended to resemble a high-status saint's tomb or shrine.

In 1864 the well was restored by Lieutenant Henry Rogers in memory of his grandfather, the Reverend John Jope, who had been vicar of the parish for 67 years. He established a trust for its maintenance, but by the late 20th century, with no trustees surviving, the site of the well had fallen into neglect.

The Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT) acquired the site in November 2022 and took on its management. Historic England has supported the CHT with a grant to enable assessments of the site, tree surgery, some re-pointing, and interpretation to improve understanding and management of the site for future generations.