The Commercial St Just In Penwith Cornwall

Alright, gather 'round, gather 'round! I've got a tale to tell about a place that's as quirky as your nan's knitting, as charming as a Cornish pasty, and as steeped in history as a well-aged ale. I'm talking about St Just in Penwith, Cornwall. Now, if you've never heard of it, don't worry, you're not alone. It's not exactly the kind of place that pops up on your average postcard, but that's part of its appeal.

Welcome to St Just: The Town That Time Forgot

First things first, let's get one thing straight: St Just isn't your typical seaside resort. No, it's not got a pier with a dodgy arcade, no overpriced fish and chips, and no donkey rides. What it does have is character. Loads of it. It's like the town that time forgot, stuck in a time warp somewhere between the Bronze Age and the present day.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Bronze Age? Really?" Yeah, really. You see, St Just is built on a hill, and not just any hill, but one that's riddled with ancient mines. We're talking copper here, folks. The Romans were mining it, the Saxons were mining it, and if the town had its way, they'd probably still be mining it today. But more on that later.

St Just: The Town That's Always Looking Up

So, why's it built on a hill, you ask? Well, that's a good question. The locals say it's because the town was founded by a bloke called St Justus, who was a bit of a holy man. He was wandering around Cornwall, looking for a place to settle, and he liked the view from the top of this particular hill. So, he decided to build a church there, and the town grew up around it. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but it's a nice story, isn't it?

Anyway, the point is, St Just is a town that's always looking up. Literally. It's got more hills than a rollercoaster, and the views are something else. On a clear day, you can see right across the Penwith peninsula, all the way to the sea. It's like standing on the edge of the world. Mind you, on a foggy day, you can't see your hand in front of your face, but that's Cornwall for you.

St Just: The Town That's Always Looking Down

Now, I mentioned earlier that St Just is a town that's stuck in the past. That's not to say it's stuck in the mud, though. Oh no, it's just that the past is kind of... well, it's kind of everywhere. You see, those ancient mines I mentioned earlier? They're not just a historical curiosity. They're a way of life. The town's still got a thriving mining heritage, and if you're lucky, you might even see a few old-timers panning for copper in the streams.

But it's not just about the mining. St Just is a town that's proud of its past, and it's not afraid to show it. The streets are narrow, the houses are old, and the pubs are... well, let's just say they're well-loved. And that's part of its charm. It's like stepping back in time, but with Wi-Fi. Sort of.

St Just: The Town That Knows How to Party

Now, you might be thinking that St Just sounds like a bit of a sleepy place. And, to be fair, it is, most of the time. But when it comes to a good old-fashioned knees-up, this town knows how to party. You see, every May Day, St Just hosts the Obby 'Oss festival. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Obby 'Oss? What on earth is that?" Well, it's a bit like a Morris dance, but with more... well, let's just say it's a bit more exuberant.

The 'Oss is a horse made out of willow and covered in green ribbons, and it's paraded through the streets by a bloke in a mask. The idea is that the 'Oss brings life and fertility to the town, and it's a tradition that's been going on for hundreds of years. It's a bit weird, I'll grant you, but it's also a lot of fun. And if you don't believe me, just ask the locals. They'll tell you all about it, with a few pints of scrumpy for good measure.

St Just: The Town That's Always Looking Forward

So, there you have it. St Just in Penwith: the town that's always looking up, always looking down, always looking forward, and always ready for a good old-fashioned knees-up. It's a town that's proud of its past, but it's not stuck in it. It's a town that's got its feet firmly on the ground, but its head in the clouds. And if you ever get the chance to visit, I reckon you'll love it as much as I do.

Just don't expect to find a donkey ride. Or a pier. Or overpriced fish and chips. But hey, who needs those when you've got the Obby 'Oss, eh?