Mawgan In Meneage

Mawgan-in-Meneage is a village at the base of the Lizard peninsula, between the Helford River and Gunwalloe, south of Helston. The village lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and takes its name from St Mauganus, a Welsh saint. “Meneage” comes from the Cornish for “monks’ land” - a name the area has carried since the 10th century.

The church of St Mawgan dates from the 14th century and stands near a pre-12th-century pillar stone at Mawgan Cross, inscribed with the cryptic words “What lieth here is not the soul.” Evidence of much earlier settlement includes barrows on Goonhilly Downs and the Halliggye Fogou at nearby Trelowarren - the largest underground passage of its kind in Cornwall.

Trelowarren House, originally built in the mid-15th century, has been home to the Vyvyan family for over 500 years. Some of its outbuildings now house a cafe, craft centre, galleries and the Lizard Countryside Centre. The estate grounds are open for walking.

The Helford River is a short distance to the north, with creek-side walks and boat trips. Gunwalloe’s Church Cove beach lies to the west. Helston, with its shops and famous Flora Day celebrations, is about six miles north. Mawgan-in-Meneage works well as a base for exploring the quieter, western side of the Lizard.