Roche is situated fairly central in Cornwall, approximately 1,032 ft above sea level.

The village is 6 miles from St Austell and about 8 miles from Bodmin.

There are three rivers that start in the Roche parish. The River Fal which rises in Colvreath, the Par River which rises in Penstrase and a small stream that rises at Holy Well, flows into the River Camel.

One of the first things seen as you approach the village from the St Austell side is the outcrop of rocks with its chapel perched precariously on the top.

On the approach down the A30 you are met with the beautiful Goss Moor.

To the right a high hill with an ancient hillfort on top, with a disused wolfram mine on the side, is Castle-an-Dinas.

The Goss Moor was also streamed for tin in early years and later dredged. Approaching from the St Dennis side of the village you pass Retallick Moor.

Roche itself is surrounded by several hamlets, Carbis, Tregross, Trezaise, Tremodrett and Belowda, or Belovely as called by some local people. The village itself has had a steady development over the years.

The population for 1939 was 2,000 and in 1991 it was recorded as 2,353.

The main industry is now clay, but in the past there was a brickworks at nearby Carbis, a Glass Mine at Polpuff, tin on the Goss Moor, Wolfram at Castle-an-Dinas and a stone quarry at Trezaise (Glebe Quarry). Farming also layed a major role in village life. The village is also served with a railway and had a station wish is now reduced to a halt. This is the Par to Newquay branch line.

About one mile from Roche on the road to Demelza, turn right down a lane to Holy Well. This is a lovely little well which is said to be 14th century and had special healing properties in its water. It was restored in 1937 by St Austell Old Cornwall Society.

There are three inns in Roche, the Victoria on the A30, the Poachers and the Rock Inn, both in Fore Street. Rock Inn is dated 1587.

 

Extracts from ‘The story of the parish of Roche ‘ by HM Creswell Payne 194

Roche in Mid Cornwall owes its name to the prominent rock pile which is the outstanding natural feature of the parish. The Rock stands on the ancient Manor of Tregarrick

Rising from the moorland waste on the northern slop of the Hansharrow range, and some nearly two miles for the ridge, the great mass of schorl (granite and tourmaline) stands about 680 feet above sea level.

It is a well know landmark, being one of the most interesting natural objects in Cornwall.

There are three great rock piles, but the central boss towers above the two flanking masses. This central pile , known locally as ‘big rock’, is crowned by a ruined two story building of considerable antiquity and rises just over eighty feet from the summit of the mound.

The roof has been long since demolished by time, an ancient chapel for divine service. The old stone stairs ascending were pulled down by the then tenants of the manor and converted to common uses. The access is therefore is very difficult and has been replaced by a metal ladder attached to the stone.

The wall is about twenty feet in length, ten feet in height and about twelve feet wide. One part is cut out of the natural rock, about thirty feel form the ground, and the other part built of lime and stone, so strong that neither time, wind or weather can yet disfigure it.

It has been roofless for over three hundred years and with out a stairway to the entrance of the cell from a similar time. The remains are not earlier than the fourteenth century. The chapel was dedicated to St Michael and was licensed in 1409.  Below the chapel lay the cell of the chaplain, or earlier for so will tradition have it, the hermit.

Other historical references include:

Hensbarrow, with its Tumulus, is the highest point of the parish and its boundary on the south. (tumulus - mound over ancient grave; barrow.)

The Holy Well is about half a mile to the north west form the railway station. A little arched fourteeth century superstructure of moorstone granite enshrines the spring. It is said that it was once surmounted by a statue of the saint; there is now no trace of a niche or pedestal. The water is said to contain curing properties.

There was a widespread distribution of ancient crosses in the parish. The crosses still in existence are: In the churchyard and in Glebe field between the Rectory and church. At the northern boundary of the parish where Roche joins the parishes of St Columb Major and St Wenn there is a very rugged sculptured cross.

The centre of religious history in the parish is the old celtic cross in the ancient churchyard. About half of the churchyard remains in its circular form. While there is no trace of any building earlier than the Norman church it is more than likely there was a saxon building as the church lay in the manor of Tremodrett which is recorded as Pre-norman.

An interesting example of Norman work in the church is the fine font still in excellent condition dating from approx 1180.