History Of Bowood
Bowood Park Golf Club was only opened in 1992, set in 250 acres of superb land, it took three years to construct, yet it has a feeling of maturity engendered by the ancient trees and rolling countryside that holds the course in its environs.
It should not surprise really, since it is the site of the oldest deer park in the West Country, and is steeped in history. It was a holy Celtic region, and there is evidence of several celtic forts and earth castles in the locality, the Norman church had previously been a celtic oratory.
The deerpark was created by Edward III, The Black Prince, in his Duchy of Cornwall, which is one of only two royal duchies, the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. He gained the name of The Black Prince as he wore a richly ornamented black cuirass over his armour when he won his spurs at Crecy in 1346.
The Prince was famed for leading his troops to victory in the Battles of Crecy when he was only sixteen years old, and ten years later at the Battle of Poitiers. His strategy saw the superb longbows of the English archers completely outfire the shorter crossbows of the continental militia. They won although they were greatly outnumbered, in fact more of the enemy died than was in the total English force.
The forest itself was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and the huge oak trees from it were used by Henry VIII to build his fleet of ships. The trees were so large that it is said that the keel of a man o' war could be taken from a single trunk in one piece.
There is much evidence of the rich history, with remains of the old grain mill date from the 13th century. Lodge Court Farm was where the original courts were held to try poachers, with sentences far more punishing than imaginable today. After the Civil War, the land reverted to farmland, and in the 1960's, it was sold by the Duchy to the sitting tenant, from whom the present owner purchased it. |
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Contact Us
Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Course
Lanteglos
Cornwall
PL32 9RF
Tel: 44+ (0) 1840 213017
Fax: 44+ (0) 1840 212622
info@bowoodpark.org
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