Blisland: Village Green, Granite and Medieval Crosses

Blisland can be explored through several distinct local highlights: its unusual wooded village green, the parish church and its furnishings, as well as several circular walks and a cycling route from Bodmin. If you are planning a stay, these highlights can help you decide whether the village’s character, church history, walks or cycle access matter most to you.

Village Character and Village Green

Historic granite houses cluster around an extensive, rectangular, wooded village green. This type of village green is unusual in Cornwall and shapes Blisland’s character. A medieval wayside cross stands on the green, at a junction of four roads. It is listed as a Grade II building. The houses, green space and cross form a distinctive ensemble, with the village green itself also serving as an attraction.

Church, Crosses and Patronal Feast

The Church of St Protus and St Hyacinth is listed as a Grade I building. Its furnishings include an elaborate rood screen by F. C. Eden, dating from 1896. The church also has an octagonal 15th-century font and a Norman font made of Pentewan stone. The furnishings thus bring together different periods and materials: Norman work, the 15th-century font and the rood screen from the late 19th century.

The medieval crosses in the churchyard also differ in location and form. A wayside cross stands 30 metres east of the church. Its shaft and head were reunited in the churchyard after having been reused separately; the cross is considered a good example of the relatively rare Latin cross type. A small granite monolith in the churchyard, 10 metres west of the church, is a good example of a wheel-headed cross. St Protus's Cross marks a route to Blisland parish church.

The local church calendar includes the patronal feast of St Pratts. It is celebrated on the Sunday closest to 22 September. The date is therefore tied to a recurring calendar date, not to a fixed day of the week.

Circular Walks and Cycling Route

A short circular walk from Blisland village passes through the churchyard and two sections of the Woodland Trust’s Lavethan Wood reserve. Another circular walk from Blisland passes Jubilee Rock, a large granite block decorated with carvings. A circular walk goes through De Lank granite quarry. These destinations offer different highlights: a striking granite block beside the route in one case, and the quarry as a section of the walk in the other. Check the current route and path conditions before setting out.

Blisland is also accessible by bicycle: cyclists can reach the village from Bodmin via the Camel Trail. Check local route and access conditions before setting off. The cycling route and circular walks are different ways to plan your stay; check that the route information suits your own trip.

Local Life in the Village

The village shop and post office stock products from many local Cornish producers. The selection may change. This offers a tangible glimpse of local produce alongside the village’s historical and scenic attractions, without requiring a special event or a particular season to shape your visit.

Discover more destinations: Phillack, Launcells, Saint Breward, Bodmin, Lanlivery, Bude, Coverack, Landrake

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.