St Tallan

Talland is situated on the southeast Cornwall coast between the two fishing harbours of Looe to the east and Polperro, part of Talland parish, to the west. The coastal path is situated on the Cornish Celtic Way footpath attracting many visitors throughout the year. It stretches from St. Germans, Saltash in the east to St. Michaels Mount, Penzance to the West.

Services are held every week in the summer months to encourage our large and varied visitor population. In the quieter months we are open on the first three Sundays normally but please check our own Talland website for details along with this website. The church is open every day for our many visitors to drop in and reflect for a few moments in our quiet and peaceful setting. Talland Church is a Grade One listed building dramatically located on the cliff top. The church, as we see it today, was not built to serve a large community but to maintain a holy site where the Christian faith had been established some 1500 years ago.

The Bell Tower stands in an unusual, detached position the base being cut into the solid rock of the hillside and may well be part of the 13th Century Church. There is a light peal of six bells which are often rung for weddings assisted by ringers from neighbouring parishes. The church offers a perfect setting for weddings of which there are a number over the summer months.

The churchyard is closed but has a memorial garden for the interment of cremated remains. Talland Bay itself was the scene of many shipwrecks and therefore smuggling. It has two principal beaches which are good for swimming and rock pooling. The Southwest Coastal Path passes through Talland following an unspoilt coastline.

There is a variety of holiday accommodation from bed and breakfast, holiday lets and caravan parks together with the luxurious Talland Bay Hotel and The Bay, adjacent to the church. Polperro primary school, part of the Bridge Schools Multi Academy Trust, caters for some 130 plus children. It is within the parish and a small ‘Open the Book’ team visit from time to time along with the Rector to conduct assemblies.

We have very positive links with Sclerder Abbey www.chemin-neuf.org.uk , a former Carmelite monastery which is the centre for Roman Catholic worship in the area and accommodates the Chemin Neuf Community, a joint Anglican/Catholic venture with a charismatic feel. It has a retreat centre which has the backing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Warden and his wife worship with us along with numerous guests on retreat.