Located between Newquay and Wadebridge, St Columb Major is a historic market town surrounded by rolling countryside and ancient legends. With its medieval roots, lively traditions, and strong Cornish identity, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the heart of inland Cornwall.
- Historic market town – St Columb Major was granted its market charter in the 13th century and became an important trading centre for farmers and merchants in mid-Cornwall.
- Name origin – The town is named after St Columba, an early Christian martyr believed to have been killed nearby around the 5th century. Her story still forms part of local folklore.
- The Hurling of the Silver Ball – One of Cornwall’s oldest and most famous traditions, this rough-and-ready medieval ball game takes place in St Columb twice a year, drawing large crowds of players and spectators.
- Ancient churches – The Parish Church of St Columba, dating back to the 13th century, features an impressive 80-foot tower and beautiful stained-glass windows depicting local saints and Cornish history.
- Historic town centre – Many of the granite buildings lining the main streets of St Columb date from the 18th and 19th centuries, giving the town a timeless and distinctive Cornish character.
- Castle an Dinas – Just outside the town lies one of Cornwall’s most important Iron Age hillforts, Castle an Dinas, offering panoramic views and traces of ancient settlement dating back over 2,000 years.
- Smuggling connections – Like much of Cornwall, St Columb was once linked to smuggling activity, with tales of contraband spirits and goods being moved across the countryside under cover of darkness.
- Cornish wrestling – The town has a proud association with the traditional Cornish wrestling style, which has been practiced locally for centuries as part of Cornish cultural heritage.
- Proximity to the coast – Though inland, St Columb is just a short drive from some of Cornwall’s most popular beaches, including Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay.
- Community spirit – St Columb has a strong local identity, with annual events, a vibrant market, and a welcoming community that continues to celebrate Cornish culture and history.
Rich in tradition and surrounded by beautiful countryside, St Columb Major is a town where the past still shapes the present, a truly authentic corner of Cornwall’s heritage heartland.