Boscastle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boscastle
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 530: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/Cornwall (mainland)" does not exist. | |
| OS grid reference | SX098906 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOSCASTLE |
| Postcode district | PL35 |
| Dialling code | 01840 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Boscastle (which is Kastel Boterel in the Cornish language) is a charming village and fishing port located on the north coast of Cornwall, England. It is part of the civil parish of Forrabury and Minster. Boscastle is about 14 miles (22 km) south of Bude and 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Tintagel.
The village's harbour is a natural inlet. It is protected by two stone walls built in 1584 by Sir Richard Grenville. This harbour is the only important one for about 20 miles (32 km) along the coast. Boscastle stretches up the valleys of the River Valency and the River Jordan. In 2004, heavy rainfall caused a big flood that damaged the village.
Boscastle is located within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means it's a special area known for its beautiful natural scenery. The South West Coast Path, a long walking trail, also goes through the village.
Contents
Discovering Boscastle's Past
Boscastle was first settled by the Bottreaux family around the year 1080. The village gets its name from Bottreaux Castle (pronounced "Botro"). This was a 12th-century motte-and-bailey fortress, but only a few parts of it remain today. Sir William des Bottreaux built the castle between 1154 and 1189.
Early Trade and Harbour Life
In 1312, King Edward II allowed William de Botreaux to hold a market in Boscastle. He also granted permission for a fair to be held on the Feast of Saint James.
Boscastle harbour was once a busy small port. It was similar to many other ports on Cornwall's north coast. Ships would bring in goods like limestone and coal. They would then export local products such as slate.
Churches and Famous Connections
The Rector of Boscastle looks after seven churches in the area. These include Forrabury (St Symphorian) and Minster (St Merthiana).
One church, St Juliot, is very special to fans of the writer Thomas Hardy. He worked as the architect for the church's Victorian restoration in March 1870. It was here that he met his first wife, Emma Gifford. She was the Rector's sister-in-law. Their story inspired his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes and some of his later poems.
In 2004, the British TV channel BBC 2 showed a weekly series called A Seaside Parish. This show followed the life of the new Rector of Boscastle, Christine Musser.
Exploring Boscastle Today
Boscastle, with its lovely harbour, is a popular place for tourists to visit.
Popular Attractions in Boscastle
Some of the interesting places to see include the Museum of Witchcraft, Uncle Paul's Emporium, and the Boscastle pottery shop. You can also access the South West Coast Path from here.
Much of the land around Boscastle belongs to the National Trust. This includes both sides of the harbour and the ancient "stitchmeal" cultivation plots at Forrabury Stitches. Large parts of the Valency Valley, known for its links to Thomas Hardy, are also owned by the National Trust.
The old harbour stables, which are part of the National Trust, are now a youth hostel run by YHA. It's a great place for walkers to stay. The National Trust also has a shop at the harbour and a visitor centre in the Old Smithy.
In 2019, Charles III, who was then Prince of Wales, visited Boscastle. He came to celebrate the anniversary of the Cornwall AONB. He also saw a local project to restore Cornish hedges.
The Wellington Inn is a historic coaching inn from the 16th century. It is located near the harbour. Inside, you can see church lamps donated by the architect Thomas Hardy. It also has beautiful stained glass windows that were put in place in 1846.
Boscastle Floods: A Look Back
Boscastle has experienced serious floods in its history.
The Great Flood of 2004
On 16 August 2004, a flash flood caused a lot of damage to the village. People were stuck in their homes, on roofs, and in cars. The village's visitor centre was completely washed away.
A huge rescue operation took place. Several Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopters helped. They rescued 91 people, and thankfully, no one died. This was the biggest peacetime rescue operation ever in the UK at that time.
The flood happened because over 60 mm (2.4 inches) of rain fell in just two hours. This is usually a month's worth of rain! The ground was already very wet from previous rainfall. The area also has steep slopes and impermeable slate, which means water runs off quickly. Boscastle is where two rivers, the Valency and Jordan, meet. A lot of water arrived at once, causing the rivers to overflow. The high tide at the time made the flood even worse.
About 50 cars were swept into the harbour, and the main bridge was destroyed. Roads were covered by up to 2.75 metres (9 feet) of water. This made it impossible to communicate until the water went down. The sewerage system also burst. Many homes, businesses, and cars were damaged or lost.
Another Flood in 2007
Boscastle was flooded again on 21 June 2007. However, this flood was not as severe as the one in 2004.
Sports and Activities
Boscastle Golf Club used to exist, founded in 1907, but it closed in the mid-1920s.
The Boscastle and Crackington Pilot Gig Club started in 2004. They row from Boscastle harbour, Port Gaverne, and Upper Tamar Lake. They have three gigs (special rowing boats) named Torrent (after the 2004 floods), Rival, and Golden Gear.
In the 19th century, Cornish wrestling tournaments were held in Boscastle.
See also
In Spanish: Boscastle para niños
