Whenever I drive across Bodmin Moor to the north coast of Cornwall I invariably go via Altarnun, which must be one of the most attractive inland villages in the county.
A Norman church was built in Altarnun in the 12th century, but the present church was built on the same site, mainly in the 15th century, from unquarried stone from Bodmin Moor. The church is dedicated to St Nonna, mother of St David, who lived in the sixth century. A Celtic cross from the time of St Nonna is located by the church gate.
As the largest parish church on Bodmin Moor, the Grade I-listed church is known as the Cathedral of the Moor. It is thought that construction of the tower may have commenced in the late 1300s, but most of the current church was built largely in the next century in the Perpendicular style, with its bell tower standing 109 ft high. It is notable for a fine Norman font and old woodwork, including the a beautiful 15th century screen, bench-ends and communion rails which date to 1684. Simon Jenkins considers this to be one of England’s Thousand Best Churches.
The stream which flows through Altarnun is known as Penpont Water and eventually joins the River Tamar. This narrow little medieval pack horse bridge dates from the 15th century.
