St Columb Major in Cornwall

Lat 50.4332° N, lon 4.9383° W●Main town · Mid-Cornwall market town

St Columb Major

St Columb Major is an old market town between Newquay and Wadebridge, known for its Shrove Tuesday hurling and the church of St Columba.

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St Columb Major at a glance

St Columb Major: a mid Cornwall market town known for hurling, 6 miles east of Newquay

St Columb Major, often just called St Columb, is a small market town in mid Cornwall. It lies about 6 miles east of Newquay and 7 miles south west of Wadebridge. The A39 passes the town on a bypass to the east, and the A30 runs through the south east of the parish.

The town received a market grant in 1333. Its church is dedicated to St Columba and has a 15th century tower 80 feet high. The church was once considered as the site for Cornwall's cathedral before Truro was chosen.

St Columb is best known for hurling, a medieval game played on Shrove Tuesday and again eleven days later. Two teams carry a silver ball towards goals about two miles apart. The game is now only played here and in St Ives.

Castle an Dinas, one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in Cornwall, is about two miles east of the town. From its summit, about 700 feet up, there are views across central Cornwall to both coasts. West of the town, the River Menalhyl runs through the Vale of Lanherne to the sea at Mawgan Porth.

Buses link St Columb with Newquay, Wadebridge and Truro. The nearest railway station is St Columb Road, about 2 miles south on the Par to Newquay line.

Use Cornish.co.uk to find places to stay, food and drink and things to do around St Columb Major. Open the interactive map for pins, or jump to Cornwall walks and local services. Discover & connect lists neighbouring towns and parishes.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions about St Columb Major

What is there to do in St Columb Major?

Walk up to Castle an Dinas, a large Iron Age hillfort about two miles east of town, for views to both coasts. Visit St Columba's Church with its tall 15th century tower. If you are there on Shrove Tuesday, you can watch the traditional hurling match through the streets.

Where is the Ring o' Bells in St Columb Major?

The Ring O'Bells is at 3 Bank Street, St Columb Major, TR9 6AT. CAMRA describes it as a former brewpub with four rooms and three bars, with food as its main focus. Its name is said to come from a 15th century celebration of the church tower.

Where can I park in St Columb Major?

St Columb Major Town Council runs two car parks in the town, at the Recreation Ground and at Wesley Place. Some spaces at the Recreation Ground are kept for resident permit holders. The Town Hall is on Market Place if you need local information.

When is St Columb hurling?

Hurling takes place twice a year, on Shrove Tuesday and again eleven days later. Two teams carry a silver ball towards goals set about two miles apart. St Columb and St Ives are the only places where the game is still played.

How do I get to St Columb Major by bus?

Services 92, 92A and 92B run between Newquay and St Columb Major. Service 94 runs from Wadebridge to Truro via St Columb Major. Service 405 runs to Bodmin.

What is the nearest beach to St Columb Major?

The town is inland, about 5 miles from the north coast. The River Menalhyl runs west from the town through the Vale of Lanherne to Mawgan Porth, a sandy beach backed by dunes with the South West Coast Path behind it. Newquay is about 6 miles to the west.

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