Padstow

As the only sizeable estuary on the northern coast of ancient Dumnonia, Padstow has been a connection between Ireland and Brittany from as early as 2500BC. In 520 St Petroc, a son of the Welsh king, Glwys, having declined a royal lifestyle arrived here after studying to be a monk in Ireland, where he founded a monastery on the site of  Wethnoc's hermitage on the hill above the bay. After 30 years as abbot, Petroc travelled to Rome and then India before returning to Britain with a wolf companion. It was another animal, a deer, that led to Petroc's faith becoming the religion of Domnonia. Whilst living as a hermit in the woods at Nanceventon, he gave sanctuary to a hunted deer. The hunter was none other than King Constantine who , deeply impressed by the hermit's wisdom and message, became a follower of Christ. With the king's support he founded a second monastery at Bothmena (Abode of monks) before travelling to his eternal home in 564AD. To read more about Padstow, a delightful place to visit, read here.

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