Polyphant facts for kids

This bridge carries the lane from Polyphant to Trevell over the Penpont Water

A miniature Cornish cross made from Polyphant stone

Polyphant is a small village located in eastern Cornwall, England. Its name in the Cornish language is Pollefans. The village was first mentioned around the year 1170 as Polefant.

Polyphant is situated north of the area known as Lewannick. It is about five miles (or 8 km) west of the town of Launceston. The village is also close to where two rivers, the River Inny and Penpont Water, meet.

Polyphant Through History

What Was Polyphant Like Long Ago?

The area of Polyphant was once a "manor." A manor was like a large estate or land owned by a lord. It included a village, farms, and the people who lived and worked there.

Polyphant was written about in the Domesday Book in 1086. This book was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror. It recorded who owned land and what was on it across England. This helped the King know how much tax to collect.

Who Owned Polyphant?

In 1086, Polyphant was owned by Nigel. He held it from a very powerful person named Robert, Count of Mortain. Robert was a half-brother of William the Conqueror.

The Domesday Book also tells us about the land and animals in Polyphant. There was enough land for three ploughs to work. A plough was a tool used to turn over soil for farming. There were also two ploughs already in use.

People and Animals in Old Polyphant

The records show different groups of people living there. There were three "serfs," who were like servants. There were also three "villeins" and six "smallholders." These people worked the land and lived in the village.

The manor had different types of land. It included two acres of meadow (grassy land), one acre of woodland, and ten acres of pasture (land for animals to graze). There were also seven cattle and thirty sheep. The value of the manor at that time was 15 shillings.

The Special Stone of Polyphant

What is Polyphant Stone?

North of the village, there are old quarries that are no longer used. These quarries were once a very important source of a special building stone. This stone is a type of "elvan." Elvan is a hard, fine-grained rock that is often used for decorative building.

Polyphant stone is known for its unique look. It has been used in many important buildings. It is often chosen for its beauty and strength.

Polyphant as a Special Scientific Site

These disused quarries are now protected. In 1994, they were named a Polyphant SSSI. SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the area is important for its natural features. It is protected to keep its geology and any special plants or animals safe.