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Access Statement

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Tregony is a village of approximately 1000 inhabitants which is situated in the middle of the county of Cornwall in England, between the towns (city) of Truro and St.Austell. It is located in a delightful, country area.

Tregony was once known as a ‘Town’ and it was an important centre of its time. The place has a long history reaching back to pre-Norman times.

Tregony’s geographical location was the prime reason for its historical importance. Its position on the higher reaches of the River Fal, some 15 miles from the sea, made it a very important and strategic inland port, when the river was tidal and navigable. It has been suggested that the Phoenician and Roman traders sailed here and went even further up river in search of tin.



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Only recently significant archaeological finds in the village have suggested that Tregony was an important and wealthy trading centre in Roman times. Legend suggests that Joseph of Arimathea made his wealth in the metals trade and had been in the habit of visiting the south-west in search of Cornwall's tin. It is highly probable that a settlement existed on the lower banks before Tregony was really established.

The original port at the foot of the hill would have been a likely embarkation point for travellers to Brittany and possible pilgrims to Santa de Compostela in Northern Spain.

Known as the gateway to the Roseland Peninsula - Tregony was an active port in the 14th Century surrounded by busy woollen mills producing a rough serge known as Tregony cloth. Craft of considerable size could navigate the Fal River right up to Tregony Bridge long before the Ports of Truro, Penryn and Falmouth were developed. However, due to tin streaming in the St. Stephens area the river eventually silted up and the harbour became unusable.

On the political front Tregony achieved its peak when James granted the town the constitution of Free Borough. Tregony was entitled to return two representatives to Westminster until the 1832 Reform Act when it had become one of the Rotten Boroughs.

As you climb up Tregony Hill you pass the site of a Roman Castle known as Treg-ney. Today the village has reverted back to being a pleasant small, thriving rural community and the wide main road, Fore Street, with its wonderful clock tower runs through the village.

Local facilities such as the local Post Office and the wonderfully well stocked ‘Londis’ village shop can be found there, as can the village public house. You can always expect a warm welcome at the Kings Arms in Fore Street which has a reputation for fine food in a friendly atmosphere. A pint of fine ale or cider beside the open fire in winter or a cool drink in the walled garden in summer should not be missed.

The woods and riverside in the area between Tregony and Ruan Lanihorne are fantastic to explore. The nearby Ruan River is also a firm favourite with ornithologists and ‘twitchers’ and Egrets can be found nesting and breeding on the nearby upper reaches of the River Fal.

In a wider context, Cornwall is enjoying a huge renaissance and offers a range of accessible attractions. The village of Tregony is an ideal base from which to explore the wonders of this glorious county. The Eden Project and the Minack Theatre are already world famous. In addition the county boasts the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Tate Gallery in St Ives and Stein's Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. All this and the fascinating rural and coastal walks, excellent beaches and sheltered sailing waters that have long made the county a magnet for those seeking relaxation in a dramatic setting.

Places of interest

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