- Created: 9th February 2017
- Updated: 18th May 2017
- Distance 4.09 miles
- Time 1 h 49 min
- Speed 2 mph
- Min altitude 236 ft
- Peak 558 ft
- Climb 394 ft
- Descent 394 ft
- Distance Instructions
This trail takes you on a journey through the historic villages of St Day and Carharrack, highlighting the sites that tell the religious history of the area, from medieval pilgrimage, through a competitive early 19th century building boom in churches and chapels, to modern day spiritual centres that sit peacefully with the past.
St Piran’s Church built in the early 1880s as a mission church to serve the large mining population, St Piran’s Church features an unusual small wooden spire.
Gwennap Pit is a semi-natural open-air amphitheatre, known as the ‘Cathedral of Methodism’ in which huge congregations gathered to hear John Wesley preach between 1762 and 1789. For more information see: WWW.GWENNAPPIT.CO.UK
Likened by the Poet-Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, to “an ecclesiastical toy fort”, the Church of Holy Trinity, now known as St Day Old Church, was built in 1826-28 to accommodate a congregation of 1500 in the booming mining town. In 1956 a controversial decision was made to close the church due to structural concerns and the roof of the abandoned building was removed in 1985. Today, following stabilisation works, the church is used as a community venue and is open to the public during the summer months thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers. The history of St Day and the surrounding area is told on display panels inside.
1. Start/End leave Redruth/Chasewater Trail
You join and leave the St Day Trail 1 through the gate which is part of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway Trail.
2. Sharp right turn
Turn right and go up the hill.
3. Left opposite Star Inn
Bear left off the larger road opposite the Star Inn car park.
4. Left at cottage
Turn left just past the small row of cottages sign posted to Gwennap Pit.
5. Left at main road
At the main road take a left turn. Be careful this is can be a busy road.
6. Little right by phone box
Turn right into Squire Lane just by the Telephone box.
7. Rejoin Redruth/Chasewtaer Trail
As you swing round to the left you rejoin the Redruth / Chasewater Trail.
This trail takes you on a journey through the historic villages of St Day and Carharrack, highlighting the sites that tell the religious history of the area, from medieval pilgrimage, through a competitive early 19th century building boom in churches and chapels, to modern day spiritual centres that sit peacefully with the past.
St Piran’s Church built in the early 1880s as a mission church to serve the large mining population, St Piran’s Church features an unusual small wooden spire.
Gwennap Pit is a semi-natural open-air amphitheatre, known as the ‘Cathedral of Methodism’ in which huge congregations gathered to hear John Wesley preach between 1762 and 1789. For more information see: WWW.GWENNAPPIT.CO.UK
Likened by the Poet-Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, to “an ecclesiastical toy fort”, the Church of Holy Trinity, now known as St Day Old Church, was built in 1826-28 to accommodate a congregation of 1500 in the booming mining town. In 1956 a controversial decision was made to close the church due to structural concerns and the roof of the abandoned building was removed in 1985. Today, following stabilisation works, the church is used as a community venue and is open to the public during the summer months thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers. The history of St Day and the surrounding area is told on display panels inside.
