Place Names

Have you ever wondered how to pronounce those fascinating Cornish place names? Now you can explore their unique sounds and stories right here!

This collection celebrates the rich heritage and identity of Cornwall through its place names. Listen to authentic recordings of locals pronouncing each name, and immerse yourself in the history, culture, and language that make Cornwall so special.

Whether you’re a visitor, a local, or simply curious, use our search or just list the place names and let the sounds of Cornwall guide you.

Click on a place name to start exploring!

  • Fowey

    Fowey is a historic harbour town on the south coast of Cornwall.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry, Jack Spry’s daughter, on 18th November 2025.

  • Launceston

    Launceston is Cornish town near the River Tamar in the north east of Cornwall. There are at least two ways of pronouncing the name. This particular recording is how Jack Spry, who was born in Launceston, used to say the name. It is interesting because it reflects the spelling ‘Lanson’ which can be seen in some milestones.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry, Jack Spry’s daughter, on 18th November 2025.

  • Mevagissey

    Mevagissey is a fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry, a resident of Porth, on 18th November 2025.

  • Whipsiderry

    Whipsiderry beach is adjacent to Porth beach and can be accessed at low tide from Porth but otherwise there is a stairway in the cliff. Unfortunately due to dangerous rock falls and contentious development above Whipsiderry, the stairway access to the beach has been closed. If you do gain access to the beach by walking either from Watergate Bay or Porth be very wary of more potential deadly rock falls.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry, a resident of Porth, on 16th January 2025.

  • Holywell

    Holywell is a village to the west of Crantock and is named after the Holy Well in the cliffs that run on the eastern end of the beach. This image shows the iconic Carter’s Rocks that have appeared regularly in TV and film series such as Poldark.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry on 16th January 2025

  • Boconnoc

    Boconnoc is 3 miles east of Lostwithiel and is home to a parish church and magnificent 18th century house.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry on 9th December 2024

  • Botallack

    Botallack forms part of the Cornish Mining Heritage Site and was made world famous through the filming of the Poldark series. The Crowns engine houses still cling to the foot of its iconic wild cliffs. It can be found near to St Just, postcode TR19 7QQ.

    This was recorded by Dr L Spry on 9th December 2024

  • Chapel

    Chapel Kernwhily, which in Cornish translates as chapel of lapwings, is a hamlet 2 miles east of Newquay. Nowadays it is simply referred to as Chapel.

    Recorded by Dr L Spry on 9th December 2024

  • Port Gaverne

    Port Gaverne’s Cornish name is Porthkaveran and is sited on the north coast just east of Port Isaac. Historically, Port Gaverne existed as a port for sand and slate from Delabole.

    Recorded by Dr L Spry on 9th December 2024. Her family resided in Port Gaverne for over 80 years.

  • Praa Sands

    Praa Sands can be found on Cornwall’s south east coast and lies within Cornwall’s National Landscape. The beach’s geological features have also gained it recognition as a Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (RIGS), after erosion exposed a thin layer of 2000 year-old peat once buried deep below the sand dunes.

    Recorded by Dr L Spry on 9th December 2024 with the pronunciation having been learnt from her mother who came from Newlyn.