St Issey is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately two miles south of Padstow. The parish covers an area of approximately. At the 2011 census the parish population was 940. An electoral ward with the name of St Issey also exists. Its population at the same census was 4,111.
History
The parish takes its name from Saint Yse, one of the twenty-four children of St Brychan, a 4th-century Welsh saint and king. The Cornish name means "the church on the tumulus". In early records Egloscruk is the name of the parish, while St Ida refers to the site of the saint's chapel and holy well at Zanzidgie. Until 1199 the parish formed part of the manor and peculiar of Pawton, belonging to the Bishop of Exeter; it was then appropriated by the bishop to the Chapter of Exeter Cathedral. At Sea Mills near Trevorrick are the remains of a sea mill on the River Camel.
Parish church
The parish church is partly Norman and was enlarged in the 15th century when the south aisle and tower were built. The tower has been rebuilt twice, c. 1680, and again in 1871. In 1869 the church tower was struck by lightning and collapsed. Though there was a "lamentable rebuilding in 1871" there are some features of great interest. These include the reredos and a Pietà of Catacleuse stone which may be fragments of a late medieval monument, possibly that of Lady Matilda Chyverston which is mentioned in a document of 1399. According to local tradition the stonework was originally in the chapel at Halwyn, an estate of the Hamelys. Ruins of the house, chapel and columbarium were mentioned by Henderson in 1925.
The Ring O Bells Inn
Situated on a corner opposite the church is the , known locally as 'The Ringers". Dating from the 17th century it is one of the oldest inns in the area and still retains many of its original features. In more recent times the featured prominently in ITV television's "Cornwall with Caroline Quentin" an eight-part series featuring the actress 'discovering' Cornwall during the summer of 2011. The current proprietor divides his time between the Inn and a smallholding nearby, where he rears his own livestock and grows produce to be served in the restaurant.
Trelow Downs
Trelow Downs, to the south of the civil parish, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for the dry and wet heaths, valley mires and scrub.
