The Cornwall border with ‘trees close to home’ and the real story behind them

Anyone who has ever been in and out of Cornwall will recognize the beloved ‘close to home’ trees. The small grove of trees, found on the A30 near Lifton, marks the border between Cornwall and Devon and is a familiar sight to anyone traveling or returning home.

Known as Cookworthy Knapp, the clump of 140 beech trees has inspired many works of art over the years, but the story behind the landmark is a source of wonder for Devonians and Cornish alike. The treasured view is known by many different names depending on the people who live and visit the area.

Whether you know them as ‘Cornwall beyond’, ‘granny trees’, ‘near home’ or ‘coming home trees’, ‘unicorn wood’ and ‘fairy wood’ – these are just some of the more commonly used nicknames. But do you know the story behind them?

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Historians believe the trees were planted on the hilltop almost 120 years ago – around 1900 – however there are a number of suggestions as to why. One of the most romantic rumors was that the plantation was built by a farmer in memory of his late wife.

Some say this is why the aerial view of the grove appears to be heart-shaped. Others suggest that the trees were intended as a landscape feature to mark the northern edge of the Lifton Park Estate or as cover for pheasants.

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Another nickname for the field, Trafalgar Clump, might suggest that the trees were planted in connection with that war, but would have been a bit late given that the battle took place in 1805. A rather clever suggestion is that the trees have were planted in clumps on hillsides across the country by cattle herders to mark water sources so they knew where they could take their animals to drink.

It seems that the quasi may also be there to hide what used to be a quarry on the crown of that hill. Local residents also said they were convinced the trees marked an ancient burial site – one woman said she thought the marker was meant to show where a king was buried.

In a Facebook discussion, others offered their explanations of what the trees are. One said: “I heard he’s related to the Cardinham family and he planted the trees in the shape of his heart to show his love – think there are a few groups about Cornwall.”

Another said: “I was told by a lady whose family lived in the area for years that when we had a leper colony in Newport it was used as a burial ground as the bodies had to be buried away from the town and then the trees grew.”

A third added: “They were all trees at one time and the rest were cut down for timber in one of the wars but the farmer didn’t want them all cut down so he left a few on top of the hill so that I was told. .”

So while the true origins of this magical grove of trees have yet to be determined, it seems many locals and visitors have their own interpretations of why they were there and the meaning behind them. Let us know what you’ve always been told in the comments or by emailing [email protected].