10 Cornish place names that tourists CANNOT pronounce
Enter Cornwall, and you’ll notice a lot of things are different.
St Piran’s flags fly high in the air, pasty shops line the high streets and the tipple of choice is usually between a Korev beer or Rattler cyder.
But the most notable is perhaps the Cornish names.
My ancestors would have spoke the Cornish language, which was used on the peninsula until around the 17th century.
But while English took over as the main language, the Cornish tongue never died. It carried on through Cornish place names.
Now, this often makes Cornish place names tricky to pronounce. But master these, and you’ll seem much less like an Emmet (un-officially Cornish for tourist!) every time you visit.
Mousehole
Pronunciation: Mow-zul
This picturesque fishing village near Penzance is known for its narrow streets and charming cottages.
Despite popular belief, its name doesn’t come from its small size or its harbour, often likened to a mouse hole.
The name likely originates from the Cornish Moeshayle, meaning “young woman’s brook.”
Fowey
Pronunciation: Foy (rhymes with “joy”)
A historic port town on the River Fowey, this spot is renowned for being the once-home of Daphne Du Maurier (my granddad was actually the sergeant in the town when she lived there, but that’s a story for another day!).
While visitors might say Fow-ee, it’s actually pronounced Foy. Don’t ask me why!
Launceston
Pronunciation: Lawn-ston or Lanson
Often referred to as the “gateway to Cornwall,” Launceston is home to a Norman castle and rich medieval history.
Many mistakenly pronounce it as it’s spelled, Lawn-sess-ton, but the local version drops the extra syllables – and some merely call it Lanson.
Mevagissey
Pronunciation: Mev-a-gizzy
Famous for its twin harbour and working fishing fleet, Mevagissey is particularly known for its seafood.
Visitors often call it Mev-a-jizzy; which is totally incorrect!
Polzeath
Pronunciation: Pol-zeff
Polzeath is a hotspot for surfers, thanks to its expansive sandy beach and consistent waves.
Many mispronounce it as Pol-zeath, but the correct version has a shorter “e” sound.
Its name, like many in Cornwall, combines the Cornish pol (pool) with a descriptive term – the Cornish name is Polsegh which means “dry creek”.
Porthtowan
Pronunciation: Porth-toe-an
This beachside village is known for its dramatic cliffs and a beach that’s perfect for surfing and exploring at low tide.
Visitors might say Porth-tow-an, but it’s correct to say the softer “toe-an.”
The name translates from Cornish as “cove of sand dunes.”
Portreath
Pronunciation: Por-treeth
Once a bustling harbour for shipping ore during Cornwall’s mining heyday, Portreath is now a quiet coastal village popular for its beach and coastal walks.
It’s often mispronounced as Port-reth or Port-wreath, or the “tr” sound is missing. One of the proudest moments of my travels around Cornwall was when a bus driver going to Portreath told me I’d pronounced it perfectly!
Redruth
Pronunciation: Re-druth
Once a hub of Cornwall’s mining industry, Redruth played a significant role in the global tin trade.
Similar to Portreath, the “dr” sound is pronounced. Even locals I’ve spoke to have got this wrong – but my dad, who was born in Redruth (my family come from there and Camborne) is adamant that the dr sound should be present!
Tamar
Pronunciation: Tay-mer
The River Tamar is the natural boundary between Cornwall and Devon (one of the oldest borders in the world!).
It’s commonly mispronounced as Tam-ar or Tah-mar.
Zennor
Pronunciation: Zen-ner
Known for its wild coastal scenery and links to folklore, Zennor is a small village on the Penwith peninsula, near St Ives.
Visitors often say Zen-nor, but locals call it Zen-ner.
Which one of these do you find hardest to pronounce?