Lostwithiel is a small town located in central Cornwall and is situated in a beautiful wooded valley at the head of the River Fowey estuary. Lostwithiel derives its name from two old cornish words meaning 'The place at the tail end of the woodland.' Standing at Restormal Castle and looking towards the town gives one an understanding of how this name came to be. Lostwithiel
800 years ago Lostwithiel was a 'new town' founded by the Normans for the export of tin. The River Fowey at that time was deep and wide and sea-going ships tied up along the quay were loaded with tin destined for French and Mediterranean ports. Officially known as 'The Port of Fawi' the town became the second busiest port on the south coast of England. Ironically it was the source of Lostwithiel's wealth, that was eventually to cause its decline. Rubble from the tin mines silted up the river, thus preventing the large ships from reaching the quay.
The Civil War was at its height in 1644 and Lostwithiel was taken over by the Earl of Essex who made it his headquarters. The town was badly damaged during the battle with many buildings being burned to the ground and valuable records destroyed. At the end of the war the town was left shattered and its people starving, however, they gradually recovered and during the late 17th century much rebuilding work took place.
Lostwithiel's church is dedicated to St Bartholomew, the Patron Saint of Tanners. The most unique feature of the church is the beautiful octagonal Lantern Spire built in the Early English style of architecture. It was badly damaged in 1757 when it was struck by lightning and again in 1876 when a violent storm shattered the stone cross with which the spire was finished. During the Civil War when Lostwithiel was occupied by Parliamentary forces, the church was used as a stable for their horses.
Born in Penzance in1853, Nathaniel Coulson was abandoned at the age of ten by his alcoholic father and bound over to a farmer at Penquite Farm in Lostwithiel. After a spell in the British Navy he emigrated to San Francisco where he became quite rich after qualifying as a dentist. The San Francisco earthquake in 1906 left him bankrupt, but he later accumulated another fortune and was able to put in place his promise of finance towards the establishment of a park at Lostwithiel. The park was formally opened in 1907 by the mayor and has given much pleasure to the community ever since.
The delightful town of Lostwithiel is a haven of peace and tranquillity and lies tucked away just off the A390. The mediaeval church, bridge and the Duchy Palace are remnants of the original splendour of the town. The museum, with its collection of memorabilia reflecting life in Lostwithiel over the centuries is situated in the former Corn Exchange. The local library and its excellent selection of books on Cornwall is located in a restored medieval house.
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