Malpas

Malpas

Malpas

Towns and Villages in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Malpas is a river side village near Truro with an association with Arthurian legend.

A beautiful location on the convergence of three of the Fal's waterways - the Tresillian River, the arm of Truro River leading to the city and the Truro River as it flows towards the Fal and Carrick Roads.

The love story of Tristan and Iseult tells how Iseult crossed the Truro River at La Mal Pas, the early name for today's Malpas (pronounced Mopus). A ferry crossing which was to reunite her with her lover as she travelled from the ancient Moresk to Kea.

The name Malpas derives from the French 'mal pas' meaning 'bad passage', a name which it inherited from the reputation of the ancient ferry crossings here.

In more recent history is Jenny Davies also known as Jenny Mopus, who was the owner of a ferry here until she died aged 82, in 1832. Jenny stated that her worst passengers were women and pigs (wemmin and pigs). A portrait of Jenny Davies hangs at Tregothnan. The house and estate are private and not open to the public.

Many vessels used to visit this part of the river during the industrial heyday of the 19th century carrying coal and other commodities. Even the great vessels carrying timber from Norway anchored here for their cargo to be unloaded onto rafts to be taken up the shallower stretch of the river to Truro and the mines beyond.

There was formerly an important oyster bed here.

It is possible to walk from Malpas to St Clement along a public footpath which starts at the eastern end of Malpas.

Location:
Located in South Cornwall on the river near Truro.
IntoCornwall Area Map Truro - Falmouth Area

Road directions to Malpas

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Malpas

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