St Enodoc and Brae Hill
St Enodoc
St Enodoc Church
St Enodoc Church with a bent steeple lies considerably below the current surrounding ground level, having been excavated in 1863 after being completely buried by sand.
St Enodoc Church
It is thought the church was built on the site of the cave of St. Enodoc the hermit who baptised his converts at the Jesus Well a half mile away. In the 18th and 19th century the church fell into disrepair and became almost buried in the sand, so much so that the locals christened it " sinkininny church " for they believed it was sinking. The vicar, in order to keep the church open had to perform his ecclesiastical duties inside it at least once a year and so was obliged to enter through the north transept roof.
The poet laureate and adopted son of Cornwall, Sir John Betjeman, wrote of this delightful building in his poem “Sunday Afternoon Service At St. Enodoc " and now a simple slate headstone marks his last resting place in the quiet churchyard overlooking the sandy reaches of Daymer Bay.
The St Enodoc Golf Club is an absolutely charming course and is one of the top links courses in the country with 2 courses - the Church 6,207 yards - SSS 70; Holywell 4,165 yards - SSS 61.
Sir John Betjeman - St Enodoc Church
Brae Hill
Brae Hill at the back of Daymer is well worth the climb – apart from it’s Tumuli if affords spectacular views of Hawkers Cove, the Doom Bar and Stepper Point (the Sleeping Dragon).A pleasant walk across the greens and dunes of St. Enodoc Golf Course will lead you to one of Cornwall's most delightful small churches. There are no roads, only the private drives of the club and the 13th Century St. Enodoc's church (or St Gwinnodock) is set amongst the sand dunes that once almost overwhelmed it.
