Hidden Cornwall

Explore fascinating stories from Cornwall.

Radio Cornwall,133 episodes

Episodes

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The murder of Charlotte Dymond in Bodmin in 1844
The murder shocked and fascinated people locally. Photo credit: Elizabeth Dale.
07 May 2026,4 mins
The Fowey mausoleum with an incredible sea view
It was built in the winter of 1866 for William Rashleigh. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
29 Apr 2026,6 mins
The Cornish connection to a diamond in the Louvre
The Regent Diamond is part of the French Crown Jewels Pic: Getty/Maeva Destombes.
17 Apr 2026,3 mins
Mary Bryant: Fowey convict who escaped Australia
She escaped the early Australian penal colony. Pic: BBC Weather Watcher/NannaLinda.
09 Apr 2026,4 mins
The Bronze Age standing stone on Goonhilly Downs
The Dry Tree Menhir is overlooked by satellite dishes. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
02 Apr 2026,3 mins
How Porthmeor Beach became a piece of glass
BBC Radio Cornwall's Tiffany Truscott has been to St Ives. Photo: Abigail Reynolds.
27 Mar 2026,13 mins
There's not much life on the 'Cornish Mars'
Nature has reclaimed much of the damaged mining landscape. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
13 Mar 2026,4 mins
Have you heard of the Ring and Thimble Stones?
You might have driven past them in West Cornwall. Photo credit: Elizabeth Dale.
05 Mar 2026,7 mins
Precious Tolgus Mill tin ore smelted into ingots
Tolgus Mill is still in operation just outside of Redruth where Cornwall Gold is.
23 Feb 2026,4 mins
The demise of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway
The pioneering railway was completed and running on January 31st 1886.
12 Feb 2026,7 mins
A Cadgwith connection to the Franco-Prussian War
The fishing village on the Lizard became involved in 1870. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
12 Feb 2026,5 mins
Gulval photographer who was known as 'Flash Harry'
He often caught the train to London with photos for national newspapers and magazines.
06 Feb 2026,3 mins
'Prepping' in Cornwall for an 'apocalypse'
There is a shop in Wadebridge that can help with prepping for every possible emergency.
05 Feb 2026,8 mins
Why does the Newlyn Lighthouse have a GPS on it?
Julie Skentelbery has been to investigate. Photo: BBC Weather Watcher/Chris Fletcher.
30 Jan 2026,3 mins
The Helston inventor who wanted to save lives
Henry Trengrouse was a cabinet maker. Photo: Museum of Cornish Life, Helston.
23 Jan 2026,8 mins
Temple Church and its link to the Knights Templar
Temple Church on Bodmin Moor was founded in the 12th Century. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
16 Jan 2026,5 mins
The centuries old tradition that happens in Bodmin
James Churchfield has more details of the Bodmin Wassail.
07 Jan 2026,4 mins
Lawlessness on the Lizard and the Windmill Gang
The Lizard Windmill was built about 400 years ago. Photo credit: Elizabeth Dale.
03 Jan 2026,4 mins
The Truro man who wanted democracy for all
Richard Spurr became a key leader of the Chartist movement in Cornwall in the 1800s.
31 Dec 2025,8 mins
The Newlyn building that holds a tidal secret
Julie Skentelbery has been to look at the red and white building. Photo: Kathy Hill.
26 Dec 2025,5 mins
A fishing boat and the 'Newlyn Clearances'
Julie Skentelbery has more on the housing protests in the 1930s. Photo: Kathy Hill.
20 Dec 2025,4 mins
How much do you know about 'Squeeze Guts Alley?'
Julie Skentelbery has been trying to find out more about the narrow passageway in Truro.
19 Dec 2025,5 mins
The 1939 banner that shows part of a town's past
The banner is part of a collection in Helston. Photo: Museum of Cornish Life.
04 Dec 2025,3 mins
A rare navigational tool returns to Scilly
The maritime object dates back to 1568. Photo credit: isles of Scilly Museum.
28 Nov 2025,6 mins
The crew exploring Cornwall's old mine tunnels
BBC Radio Cornwall's David Dixon has more details.
27 Nov 2025,3 mins
Behind the scenes of the Cotehele garland
The 60ft long Festive garland in the great hall is made up of thousands of flowers.
21 Nov 2025,3 mins
'I helped to unearth a Whale skull'
The head of a whale that died after stranding has been excavated five years later.
21 Nov 2025,2 mins
The Cornish connection to a famous War poem
'For the Fallen' was written on the North Coast in 1914. Photo: Elizabeth Dale.
19 Nov 2025,3 mins
Cornishman first met his American GI Dad in 1989
His Father fought in the The Battle of the Bulge during the Second World War.
14 Nov 2025,5 mins
Breage's medieval wall paintings
Cornish Bird Blogger Elizabeth Dale has the details.
05 Nov 2025,3 mins