Recommended Cornish Books / Guides for Cornwall

Below is a selection of books, guides and music to help you on your journey into the Cornish landscape.

We have chosen this books and guides because they also promote the culture and heritage of Cornwall and her people. It is very important to understand the history of this beautiful and dramatic place. The more we understand the events that have shaped this unique land the better the understanding we have for each other.

	A Natural History of Land's End by Jean Lawman A truly outstanding and beautiful book. For anyone interested in getting close to the landscape of Cornwall. Reading this makes you more aware of the delicate and sensitive nature of Cornwall's wild life, plants and the very rocks that support you as you walk upon her. Simple fantastic. Tabb House Books Padstow 2002

	Cornovia - Ancient Sites of Cornwall & Scilly by Craig Weatherhill Craig is conservation Officer for West Penwith District Council, and has undertaken surveys for the Cornwall Archaeological Unit. This book is highly recommended with copious pictures and descriptions of over 200 sites. [Cornwall Books 2001]

	Belerion - Ancient Sites of Land's End by Craig Weatherhill With a higher concentration of ancient sites than anywhere else you would expect the Land's End Peninsula to have its own guide! Again by Craig and highly recommended. [Cornwall Books 2000]

	Stories and Folk-Lore of West Cornwall by William Bottrell Originally published in 1880 a fascinating collection of Cornish stories and legends collected in the second half of the 19th century. Lots of stories for the fire side or late at night! [Llanerch publications 1996]

	Porthgwarra by Christine Gendall As Frank Ruhrmund say's on the back cover. Porthgwarra is a dream of a Cornish Cove, with tunnels, caves and crap pots. It is unspoiled and a very special place. Christine's book tells a tale in pictures of a tightknit community fast disappearing in Cornwall. A wonderful book for anyone who cares about Cornwall [Churchtown Technology 1999]

	Mazes Ancient & Modern by Robert Field Interest in mazes and labyrinths is on the increase and this handy little book not only gives you background on them (includes Rocky Valley) but also gives you tips on how to draw your own! [Tarquin Publications 2001]

	Fentynyow Kernow (In Search of Cornwall's Holy Wells) by Cheryl Straffon There are more holy wells in Cornwall than in any other part of the UK, this guide is a true labour of love. Even if you read this by the fireside, you can still feel the atmosphere of the Cornish holy wells that have been visited by this local author. The book includes B/W photographs and map references. [Meyn Mamvro Publications 1998]

	'Mid Cornwall and the Lizard' by Cheryl Straffon Along with Ian McNeil Cooke's walking guides, Cheryl Straffon's 'Earth Mystery Guides' are an essential purchase. Unlike Ian's, which concentrate on the West Penwith area of Cornwall, Cheryl's cover the whole of the Cornish Landscape. Everything is included from standing stones, holy wells and stone circles. All the sites are accompanied by B/W photos and map references. There are three books in the series, 'Ancient Sites in West Penwith', 'Mid Cornwall and the Lizard' and 'Bodmin Moor and North Cornwall'; all are available from Meyn Mamvro Publications (see below for details)
	Secret Shrines' by Paul Broadhurst Paul is a fabulous writer and photographer. He is probably best known for his seminal Earth Mysteries book 'The Sun & The Serpent'. 'Secret Shrines' is a book full of romantic prose and descriptions that just pull you into the landscape itself. [Pendragon Press 1988]
	Ancient and Holy Well of Cornwall by M & L Quiller-Couch First published in 1894 this is a fascinating journey of discovery in time when Cornwall must have been very different. This is a magical and heart warming journey to some of Cornwall's most spiritual and mysterious places. Its interesting to compare their thoughts on these places with our own almost over 100 years later. [Tamara Publications1994]
	'Tintagel and the Arthurian Mythos' by Paul Broadhurst There are many books on King Arthur, but none of them come close to this. The background, the people, the places and superb photographs make this an essential book for fans of the Arthurian Legends. What makes this book so different, is again down to Paul's descriptive writing. The legends (or should that be 'forgotten facts') reach out and touch our own forgotten past. A truly beautiful book.[Pendragon Press 1992]
	'Antiquities of Old Cornwall' (Guide One) by Ian McNeil Cooke Ian lives in a old converted School house in the middle of the West Penwith moors. His walking guides (there are four in total) are all excellent. He is also a very talented artist, and his studio is well worth a visit. The Men an Tol holed stone is only a short walk away. [Men-an-Tol 1997]
	Mermaid To Merrymaid (Journey To The Stones)' by Ian McNeil Cooke If you enjoy the walking guides, then this book expands upon the material and gives you the whole picture. It contains some stunning illustrations as well as detailed site drawings, and stories of local customs, past and present. [Men-an Tol 1996]
	'Mother and Sun (The Cornish Fogou)' by Ian McNeil Cooke This book is limited to just 1000 copies (still available locally). It is the first comprehensive look at the Cornish Fogou. These are very mysterious places (as Jo May's book clearly illustrates!!) ' Mother and Sun' is a beautiful reference guide. It is packed with archaeological, historical and general information on over sixty alleged sites. The Fogou is unique to Cornwall. [Men-an Tol 1996]
	'Celtic Sacred Landscapes' by Nigel Pennick Although not entirely a book about Cornwall, it does have an extensive gazetteer which has a whole section on Cornwall. The book is excellent in giving you an introduction and insight into the Celtic landscape. It is when reading a book like this that you realise just how hard it can be to sometimes differentiate between what is fact and what it fiction! [Thames & Hudson 1996]
	Places of Power' by Paul Devereux The definitive report on secret energies at sacred sites. The book reports back on the findings of 'The Dragon Project' which although very much focused on 'The Rollright Stones' does include some in depth findings on the sacred sites of Cornwall. [Blandford 1990] Cornish Books from Amazon
	'Myths and Legends of Cornwall' by Craig Weatherhill & Paul Devereux Although there are many books covering this type of material, this one is definitely worth a look. Craig Weatherhill is an historian and speaker of the ancient Cornish Language. On this book he teams up with Paul Devereux, who, as editor of The Ley Hunter, brings his own mix of ideas and theories, to such phenomena as 'Earth Lights' and 'Ley Lines' Sigma Leisure 1998
	'Vanishing Cornwall' by Daphne du Maurier Famous for her novels 'Rebecca', 'Frenchman's Creek' and 'Jamaica Inn', Daphne lived in Cornwall for most of her life. This fascinating travelogue describes the fragility of the Cornish landscape and its people. Penguin Books 1967
	A Guide to The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland & Brittany by Aubrey Burl Over 400 sites are described with information on how to find them. The book has useful maps and over 70 photos. Many Cornish stone circles are included. [Yale University Press 1995]
	Meyn Mamvro' Meyn Mamvro - Stones of our Motherland - They say that the veil between worlds is very thin in Cornwall. Meyn Mamvro is your ticket to the other side. A truly wonderful and mystical publication. It includes regular features on Cornish legends, Celtic spirituality, stone circles and more. Edited by Cheryl Straffon. For details on how to subscribe and purchase the other books published by Meyn Mamvro please write to the following address.