Cornwall is famous for its saintly place-names: St Austell, St Germans, St Ives, and St Michael’s Mount. It is often said that there are more saints in Cornwall that there are in heaven, indeed every other place name seems to be St. something or other.
Early Christianity in Cornwall was represented by the Celtic church. Becoming a saint was a matter of leading a pilgrimage, usually from Wales or Ireland, and founding a church. Most of the Cornish saints have legends and myths surrounding them. Most Holy Wells are dedicated to a saint, as are the crosses that pop up everywhere, on the moors and in graveyards.
Saint Piran, St Adwen (Advent), St Allen, St Anta, St Austell (Austol), St Breaca, St Breward, St Brioc, St Brychan, St Budoc, St Buryan, St Constantine, St Cury, St Erc, St Fingar, St Germoe, St Gundred (Founder of the town of St Ives), St. Ronan, St Salom, St Uny and St Wenna are some of the main saints in Cornwall. St. Piran is the most popular of the Patron Saints of Cornwall – the others being St. Michael and St. Petroc. Each of them is often regarded as Cornwall “Patron”.
In England most parish churches are dedicated to saints from the scripture, or ‘universal’ ones like Nicholas. In Cornwall it is different the majority are named after saints found only in Celtic countries or nearby. In Cornwall most have only one or two parishes.
There is plenty of accommodation in St Mawes available to holiday visitors ranging from clean and comfortable campsites to luxury boutique hotels. The Idle Rocks is a St Mawes hotel, perched on the harbour wall of St Mawes.