Minions, Cornwall
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Minions
| |
|---|---|
 Minions | |
  Minions Location within Cornwall | |
| OS grid reference | SX2671 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LISKEARD |
| Postcode district | PL14 |
| Dialling code | 01579 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
Minions (Cornish: Menyon) is a village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated on the eastern flank of Bodmin Moor northwest of Caradon Hill approximately four miles (6 km) north of Liskeard.[1] Minions is first recorded in 1613 and its meaning is unknown.[2]
A stone circle known as the Hurlers is located on the west side of the village. Several other tumuli are also in the area, including Rillaton round barrow, where a Bronze Age gold beaker was discovered. The Cheesewring, a distinctive rock formation, is a mile northwest.
The village has embraced the coincidence that its name is now shared with the characters from the Despicable Me franchise.
Climate
Minions is in the former Caradon administrative district and in the parish of Linkinhorne. At 300 metres (980 ft) it is said to be the highest village in Cornwall.[3]
The village is dominated by Caradon Hill, standing at 371 metres (1,217 ft) high, on which there is a TV transmission mast on the summit. As a result, there is a road leading up to the summit from Minions.[1] On the western flank of the hill, a quarry recently started up again, cutting granite boulders.[citation needed]
As well as this working quarry, there are many other disused quarries and mine buildings in the area due to the village's mining heritage, including the Phoenix United Mine that closed in 1914.[4] Unlike in the west of Cornwall, there are no plans to reopen the tin and copper mines in the area.
The climate of Minions is Oceanic but, like the rest of Bodmin Moor, due to its higher altitude, it is often cooler, windier and wetter. However, there is a good balance of fair days too, which can get warm in the summer. In winter frosts are common and even though it snows most years, it is never prolonged or severe.
Community facilities
The village has two main car parks, located on the western and eastern edges of the village. A museum dedicated to the mining history of the local area is located to the north of the village in a disused engine house.
There are two tearooms and a general store which also holds a post office.
There was a pub, The Cheesewring, that suffered a fire in 2021 which caused substantial damage.[5]
