Historic village founded in 1160 with Bronze and Iron Age remains. The village bridge dating from the 14th century was originally the main road to Lands End. The river Hayle is tidal to the village.

A number of old houses along Fore Street have gropes (alleys) leading to further houses behind. The gropes had rooms above and trap hatches where furniture and coffins were taken up and lowered.

In 1909 the last man hanged in Bodmin Jail was William Hampton who lived in the village.

In 1939 M18 had listening stations at the top of St Erth Hill where information obtained was fed through to Bletchley Park.

Carbis Mill was first mentioned in 1650 as a “stamps” mill, then as a “flushing” mill and later as a “grist” mill. The mill closed in 1948.

David Gilbert (1767 – 1839) of Tredea Manor was a Cornish MP for 30 years. He was also President of the Royal Society and was also known as “the Cornish Philosopher” 

The clay from St Erth pits was used by Harvey’s in Hayle foundry, for lining in Penzance harbour and by Bernard Leach at his pottery in St Ives.  It is now a geological nature reserve.

The Parish Church was built in the 14th or 15th century but the churchyard cross suggests that a church stood here from the 10th century.