The Cornish village of No Man’s Land is much-loved by locals despite its name suggesting it’s a place to be feared.

A hamlet in south east Cornwall, No Man’s Land is about 15 miles west of Plymouth and around 40 miles away from Truro.

Its name might suggest its stuck between two enemy trenches, but according to the locals it’s a normal village, apart from the fact it is divided in two.

No Man’s Land boasts its own shop, a Christmas tree during the festive season and a secret well, covered by a bus stop.

Barbara Reynolds, who has lived in the village for more than 50 years, said the parish is divided down the main road.

She told Cornwall Live: “It’s an old village. It didn’t actually belong to any particular place. Now there’s a bit of a split and the parish is divided straight down the main road.”

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The village straddles the parishes of Morval and of St Martin, and is represented by two different parish councils.

Local historian, Jenny Wallis, explained in the 16th century the land where the village lies went unclaimed by either of the parishes when they were defining their boundaries, hence the place’s curious name.

Ms Wallis wrote: “Once upon a time, when the first Elizabeth was Queen, there was much unrest in the land.

“The monasteries had gone – and all their good works – and the countryside was beset with beggars and vagabonds, the halt and the lame, wounded soldiers and political refugees. Parishes had to raise a tax! This did not meet with universal approval.”

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She said that it was viewed as being fair to care for parishioners within parish boundaries, adding: “The congregation was required to ‘beat the bounds’ of the parish so that everyone grew up knowing where their responsibilities lay.

“Licences to travel were introduced – and anyone found beyond their home parish could be whipped and branded.

“So St Martin’s beat its bounds (on Rogation Sunday) and Morval beat its bounds and it became apparent that there was a piece of land that was not claimed by either – No Man’s Land!”

Over time those boundaries became unclear, leading to some confusion over No Man’s Land exact, official location.

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Roberta Powley, from St Martin Parish Council, told Cornwall Live: “It’s a very close and helpful community. I’ve lived here all my life. I love it.”

Local resident Karen Brown said: “We always get together at Christmas. The village is close enough to Looe to have the beach and shops, but it’s also remote enough to avoid the tourists during the summer.

“I’ve got the countryside views as well. It couldn’t be better placed. Plymouth isn’t too far and Truro is on the other side. I feel very lucky to live here.”

This article was first published by Cornwall Live in 2020.

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