Lamorna
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Lamorna Cove |
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Lamorna shown within Cornwall | |
OS grid reference | SW449234 |
Civil parish | |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Penzance |
Postcode district | TR19 |
Dialling code | 01736 |
Police | Devon and Cornwall |
Fire | Cornwall |
Ambulance | South Western |
EU Parliament | South West England |
UK Parliament | |
Lamorna (Cornish: Nansmornow) is a village, valley and cove in west Cornwall, England, UK. It is on the Penwith peninsula approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Penzance and lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); almost a third of Cornwall has AONB designation, with the same status and protection as a National Park. The South West Coast Path passes through the cove.
First recorded as Nansmorno (in 1305), than Nansmurnou (1309), Nansmorne (1319), Nansmornou (1339), Nansmorna (1387) and Namorna (1388). Nans means valley plus possibly mor which is the sea.
Lamorna Cove is at the southern end of a north-west to south-east valley. The cove is delineated by Carn Dhu (Black Rock) on the eastern side, Lamorna Point on the western side and Mount's Bay to seaward. The parish boundary runs through the stream with the civil parish of Paul on the western side and St Buryan to the east. The valley is privately owned from The Wink (public house) down to the cove, which is reached by a narrow lane to the car park and quay. The small village, half a mile inland, was originally known as Nantewas.
The first record of tin streaming is in the 1380s when Alan Hoskyn was killed (murder was not proven) during a dispute, with Trewoofe, following the diversion of the stream. Mounds along the river are evidence of past activity. Kemyel Mill was operated by the Hoskyn family from at least the 14th-century to the 1920s and is now a gift shop under different ownership. There were two mills, one milled corn for animal feed, and the other flour. Both mills are grade II listed buildings.
In the 17th-century a privateer owned by the Penrose family was regularly moored in the cove and was wrecked during a storm. At one time five cannon were on the sea floor in 15 m (49 ft) and one is now at Stoney Cross, Leicestershire where it is used at an underwater archaeological training area. A number of silver coins found in 1984 and 1985 includes one dated 1653. The wreck is a popular diving site.