St Neot

St Neot is a moorland-edge village on the southern slopes of Bodmin Moor, set in a sheltered valley where the River Loveny runs through wooded hillsides and granite outcrops. The village is characterised by its 15th-century church, which contains some of the finest medieval stained glass in Cornwall, and by traditional stone cottages arranged around a small square. The landscape is a mix of pasture, woodland, and former quarry sites, with the open moor visible to the north. St Neot has a composed, self-contained quality. History: St Neot is named after a 9th-century Cornish saint, Neot, who is said to have founded a monastery here. The parish church, rebuilt in the 15th century, stands on the site of this earlier religious foundation. The church is notable for its collection of stained glass windows, which date from around 1480 and depict biblical scenes and the life of St Neot. These windows are among the best-preserved examples of medieval stained glass in Cornwall. The village's economy was historically based on agriculture, with moorland grazing supplementing valley farmland. From the 18th century onward, granite quarrying became an important source of employment, with St Neot granite used in local building and exported for major projects. The village remained small through the 19th century, with limited industrial development. In the 20th century, quarrying declined, and St Neot returned to a primarily agricultural economy. Today, the village functions as a small rural community, with the church serving as a significant heritage site.