Malpas Village
Malpas is a riverside settlement and former port situated southeast of Truro on the confluence of the rivers of Truro and Tresillian. It is a popular centre for boating with navigable waterways to Truro, Falmouth and the seas. It is known for its ferry service to the Roseland Peninsular and has a history of boat building and transiting cargo from ship to barge to/from Truro.
Over the years the population grew and the community flourished. However, many of the earlier land industries have diminished such as net-making, quarrying, building works, and fruit/ vegetable growing. However, there remains evidence of habitation going back thousands of years with evidence of careful building to honour water spirits. Not surprisingly perhaps, legends abound regarding Tristan and Isolde and indeed King Arthur.
There is an old Methodist chapel in the village which is now used primarily as a reading room, village hall and meeting place for residents. The old shops, post office and liquor stores have gone, together with the Customs House. However, a pub remains- the Heron Inn, once called the Park Hotel and then the Ship Inn. The former disused quarry site is now set for housing, the public toilets have recently been closed and the building set to be repurposed by Cornwall Council, whilst the open area opposite the pub is now regularly used by visitors and residents alike to admire the view down the estuary.
The marina further down from there continues to grow and now houses additional buildings which can be used by members of the public. Before reaching Malpas on the walk from Truro and its Boscawen Park there is a lovely ‘stopoff’ area. Known as Sunny Corner it has covered seating enabling a beautiful vista of the river, it’s bank, it’s hillside backdrop and countryside beyond the estuary.
Malpas Marina
Sunny Corner
For more information contact: www.cornwalls.co.uk malpas