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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"FORRABURY, a parish in the hundred of Lesnewth, county Cornwall, 5 miles N.W. of Camelford, its post town. It is situated on the Bristol Channel, and includes part of the seaport town of Boscastle. Manganese and slate are obtained. It was once a place of more importance than at present, hut upon the destruction of the castles of Tintagel and Botreaux it rapidly declined. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Exeter, value £70. The church is dedicated to St. Simphorian and has an ancient cross. From this point there is an extensive marine view. There are charities of about £5 yearly value. The Wesleyans have a chapel, and there is a National school. There are some good residences, of which Barn Park and Pevally House are the principal. J. R. Avery, Esq., is lord of the manor."

"BOSCASTLE, a village and small seaport, partly in the parish of Forrabury, partly in that of Minster, hundred of Lesnewth, in the county of Cornwall, 5 miles to the N. of Camelford. It is pleasantly situated on the spur of a lofty hill, and in part surrounded with orchards and gardens. It was formerly a market town, and the curious old market-house still exists, and is sometimes used; near it are the remains of an old ecclesiastical building formerly used as a chapel. The place derives its name, which is a corruption of Botreaux Castle, from a castle founded by the baronial family of Botreaux, who were settled here as early as the middle of the 12th century. The port is subordinate to Padstow, and the vessels belonging to it are engaged in the coasting trade, exporting corn, slate, and iron ore, and importing coals, timber, and general merchandise. The harbour is most romantic, being enclosed with high rocky eminences. The entrance has been compared with that to the harbour of Balaklava. There is a small island at the entrance, belonging to the adjoining parish of Tintagel, on which are remains of an ancient chapel, and a portion of King Arthur's Castle. But the most noteworthy object in the vicinity is St. Knighton's Move, about two miles from Boscastle. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the West of England. Forrabury church commands a very distant view of the ocean, being situated on high ground, whilst Minster church is hidden, lying low in one of the most romantic, beautiful spots in the county. As its name denotes, there was formerly a monastery of black monks near where the church stands. The Wesleyans and two other religious sects have chapels in the village. There is a National school, in which there are about 80 children educated, belonging to the surrounding parishes, besides two other private schools. There is also a very comfortable, well-conducted hotel in the lower part of Boscastle. Fairs are held on the 5th August and the 22nd November."