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!
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Kynance
Kynance, on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, is best known for Kynance Cove. Historically it formed part of the Mullion parish and was used for grazing and coastal activities. In the 19th century the area was associated with limited quarrying of serpentine stone for decorative use. The coast was also linked to fishing and occasional smuggling. Today Kynance is managed mainly for conservation and public access. -
Launceston (1)
There are at least two ways of pronouncing this town’s 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 on some milestones.
Launceston (Holy place of St Stephen) is a Cornish town near the River Tamar in the north east of Cornwall. -
Launceston (2)
Launceston (Holy place of St Stephen) is a Cornish town near the River Tamar in the north east of Cornwall.
There are at least two ways of pronouncing this town’s name. This particular pronunciation has become more popular in recent times. -
Liskeard
Liskeard (Lyskerris) is an ancient stannary and market town and civil parish in south-east Cornwall. -
Maenporth
Maenporth is a small coastal settlement near Falmouth in south Cornwall. Historically it consisted of farmland and a small cove used for fishing and coastal transport. In the 19th century it was linked to nearby mining areas through shipping of materials and supplies. Large-scale residential development occurred in the late 20th century, when holiday accommodation and housing were built. Today Maenporth is primarily a residential and tourism-focused area. -
Mevagissey
Mevagissey (‘Meva’ and ‘Issey’ the parish saints) is a fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall -
Nanquidno
Nanquidno is a small hamlet in west Cornwall near St Levan. It developed as a farming settlement with scattered smallholdings and limited fishing activity along the nearby coast. The area was also linked to small-scale quarrying and the transport of stone in the 18th and 19th centuries. Population declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as agriculture changed and residents moved to larger towns. -
Nansledan
Nansledan (Broad Valley) is a major modern settlement on the eastern edge of Newquay, developed from farmland owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Construction started in the 2010s and is ongoing, with housing, schools, and local services built in stages.
Street names in Nansledan are in the Cornish Language and a useful resource for pronunciation can be found on the Nansledan website. -
Pelynt
Pelynt is a village in southeast Cornwall with medieval origins. It developed around agriculture and local trade, supported by its position on routes between Looe and the interior. The parish church of St Pelynt dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries the area remained largely rural, with some involvement in nearby mining and quarrying. Pelynt has since expanded modestly as a residential village. -
Perranarworthal
Perranarworthal is a parish and village in south-west Cornwall that developed in the 19th century around the Perran Foundry, a major engineering works serving the mining industry. Earlier settlement in the area was agricultural, with scattered farms. The arrival of the railway supported industrial growth and transport. After the decline of mining and heavy industry, the village became mainly residential, with the former industrial site redeveloped for other uses.