England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Zennor St Senara

The Parish

The parish of Zennor lies in the extreme southwest of Cornwall forming a lengthy stretch of the county's coastline with the Irish Sea. Zennor is located about 5 miles southwest of the town of St Ives and sits on the B3306 road which connects St Ives with Lands' End. Zennor village is a rather small place these days with just the church and inn with a few cottages gathered around it and sitting just north of the B3306, scattered farmsteads occupy the remainder of the parish. There is much evidence, however, of greater occupancy of the area in ancient times, to the southeast by about 1 1/2 miles sits Zennor Quoit holding a large and complex early Neolithic chambered tomb whilst all around sit hut circles and tumuli. Zennor had its heyday in Cornwall's tin industry with mines , often stretching beneath the waves, dotted around the village, in addition the granite and sandstone were extensively quarried leaving scars all around. The soils are thin and infertile with much of the parish described in early gazetteers as waste (60% in some estimates), today they are the home of hardy sheep. In more modern times Zennor earns its living from tourism, the spectacular coastal scenery being the main draw along with the tin heritage, the coast is followed by the South West Coastal National Trail, the stretch from St Ives to Zennor being regarded as one of that arduous trails most challenging sections, the Tinner's Arms a most welcome rest point. Many streams tumble down the cliffs into the Irish Sea draining the parish. Zennor is sited at around 100 metres above the sea but land climbs steeply inland reaching several high points with the highest being Trendrine Hill summiting at 247 metres. Zennor parish covered a relatively thin strip of coast hugging land but still covered almost 3,200 acres which supported a population of around 1,000 parishioners, far fewer today. Zennor is not mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Senara's church, Senara is believed to a Breton princess and saint, lies in the huddle of properties gathered around both it and the Tinner's Arms Inn. Whilst the presence of a church here is documented as early as 1150 little remains of that early church besides some fabric in the southern face of the nave, a narrow window too may also be originally of the 12th century and Norman Romanesque. Next in age is both chancel and transept with even Pevsner not quite sure of their dating but probably they date from the first half of the 14th century during the Decorated period. The late 15th century turning into the 16th saw significant change to the church with the construction of the western tower which is unbuttressed and of 3 stages, the 6-bay northern aisle is also contemporary with this build both being undeniably Perpendicular in style. In common with most churches there was a typical Victorian restoration, here in 1890, when the roofs were attended to and some windows replaced albeit keeping consistency of styling. The streets around the church and inn are typically narrow and congested, a lucky one might gain the space outside the gates but otherwise parking should be sought elsewhere. A rise of 8 steps is needed to gain the churchyard, a tree sits in the southeastern corner restricting the favoured viewpoint but otherwise there are no obstacles for the photographer.