St Germans is a small village with a population of 600. It has a Post Office, a well stocked general store and the village pub, The Eliot Arms has Cornish ales and serves excellent food. There is also a childrens playpark and a small football pitch in the village.
The quay, with the viaduct towering above it and
its sailing club, is a popular spot. The old part of the village,
which includes the railway station, is virtually unspoilt and has
been made a Conservation Area. There is a row of alms houses built during the reign
of Queen Elizabeth I and a terrace of former police houses complete with cells
built in the 1800's. St Germans and the Lyner Estuary
have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
offer, in addition to the scenery, excellent opportunities for
walking, bird watching, fishing and sailing. The village has a parish church and methodist chapel. St Germans Rail Users Group is a voluntary group established to give users a voice, to improve the service and facilities and to encourage use of the line.
The development of St Germans has been strongly influenced by the Port Eliot estate which adjoins the village on the northern side. The Norman parish church, formerly the cathedral of Cornwall and Port Eliot house are built on the site of an ancient priory.
PORT ELIOT HOUSE AND ESTATE
Port Eliot house and grounds open to the public for the first time in 2008. Home to the Earl and Countess of St Germans, the house is one of the most magical and hidden stately homes in England. The Grade 1 listed house dates back as far as the 5th Century and was substantially altered by Sir John Soane at the turn of the 19th Century. The Eliots have lived at Port Eliot since the 16th Century and Peregrine St Germans is the 10th Earl of St Germans.
From March 1st to June 8th you'll not only have full access to the park and gardens, but you'll be able to tour the house's ground floor reception rooms, including the famous Round Room which boasts a 40ft mural by Robert Lenkiewicz. Covering the entire wall of the round room, the mural is in two halves, one side depicting death, destruction, insanity, unrequited love, and the apocalyptic end of the world, whilst the other reflects love, affection, friendship, harmony, proportion and consensus. Lenkiewicz called this work "The Riddle Mural" as concealed within the picture are various references to family skeletons, art history and cabalistic mysteries. Port Eliot also houses several masterpieces by Sir Joshua Reynolds, including one if his important early works, Group Portait of the Eliot Family, painted in 1746. Works of art by Romney, Ramsey, Van Dyck and many of the Dutch Old Masters can also be seen as well as interesting pieces of museum quality furniture, including an early Boule armoire.
On Wednesdays dog lovers can bring their pets to roam free in the park, a rarity in such landscapes. At other times dogs are welcome but must be kept on their leads at all times.
- twin coastal villages where cottages
cluster around a small quay. It is a pleasant 2 mile walk
from Cawsand, west along the coast path to Rame Head. On
the way, just as the path emerges from the trees and set
into the cliffs are the remains of a small church. From
here are visible Trinity House buildings that contain a
fog horn. From Rame Head it is possible to return to
Cawsand by the lanes, passing Rame Parish Church on the
way.