Discover Crowan: Church, Clowance and Crenver Grove

When choosing Crowan as a destination, you can focus on a range of interests: ecclesiastical architecture, the history of a manor house, woodland landscapes or walking. The Church of Saint Crewen, Clowance, Crenver Grove and a circular walk in the parish offer different ways to explore these subjects. You can choose where to visit based on whether you would rather focus on historic buildings, the landscape or a walking route.

A church with older features

The Church of Saint Crewen is a 15th-century parish church and a Grade II* listed building. Some older fragments have been incorporated into the building. For travellers interested in ecclesiastical architecture, its distinctive feature is the combination of different building periods: the parish church dates from the 15th century, but some elements are older. Its listed status adds a layer of legal protection to the building’s history.

Clowance: manor house and rebuilding

A manor house has stood at Clowance since the 13th century, and it once had a chapel that no longer survives. Clowance House was rebuilt around 1843, incorporating older features that probably date from the 18th century. The house was formerly the home of the St Aubyn family. Clowance therefore brings together several historical connections: the manor house’s long history, the chapel that no longer survives and a later rebuilding that probably incorporated older features.

Circular walk from Crowan to Clowance Estate

The route from Crowan to Clowance Estate is a circular walk in the parish of Crowan, leading from the church to Clowance Estate. GPS navigation indicates the next change of direction and issues a warning if you stray from the route. This digital guidance is a specific feature of the walk and can help you decide whether a route with navigation prompts suits your travel interests.

Crenver Grove and its woodland history

Crenver Grove is a historic, small woodland covering 35 acres and managed by the Sustainable Trust. Its mix of beech, chestnut and oak trees is typical of 18th-century Cornish parkland. As well as its size, the woodland’s tree species connect it to this landscape tradition. Crenver Grove is thought to have been established around 1785, approximately when the estate wall was built. This approximate date adds a historical context to the information about the trees.

Putting historical dates in context

The dates refer to different events: the 13th century marks the manor house at Clowance, around 1843 the rebuilding of Clowance House, and approximately 1785 the presumed establishment of Crenver Grove. A long historical association, a rebuilding and an approximate date of establishment are not equivalent kinds of information. When comparing the history of these places, this distinction helps you separate earlier structures from later building changes and the uncertain date of the woodland’s establishment.

Discover more destinations: Perranporth, Jacobstow, Gweek, Feock, Saint Just in Roseland, Saint Breward, Mevagissey, Marhamchurch

For the broader travel guide: Cornwall.