# Idless

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**Idless** (Cornish: *Edhelys*, meaning *place of aspen trees*) is a [hamlet](/source/Hamlet_(place)) north of [Truro](/source/Truro) in [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall), England.[1] The [River Allen](/source/River_Allen_(Truro)) rises north of [St Allen](/source/St_Allen) and flows southwards through the Idless Valley into Truro.[2] It is in the [civil parish](/source/Civil_parish) of [Kenwyn](/source/Kenwyn).

The manor of Idless was recorded in the [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book) (1086) when it was held by Algar from [Robert, Count of Mortain](/source/Robert,_Count_of_Mortain). There was one hide of land and land for 6 ploughs. Algar had one third of a virgate with 3 ploughs and 4 serfs. 4 villeins and 7 smallholders had the rest of the land. There were 40 acres of woodland, 2 square leagues of pasture, 23 sheep and 7 goats. The value of the manor was 15 shillings though it had formerly been £2 sterling.[3]

There was a military firing-range beside nearby St Clement's Wood, known as "Idless Range", just north of the present-day [Penmount Crematorium](/source/Penmount_Crematorium), which was still in use by at least the local army cadets for Lee-Enfield live-firing in the late 1950s.[citation needed]

## Idless Woods

Idless Woods is a nearby mixed woodland managed by [Forestry England](/source/Forestry_England) consisting of Bishop’s wood, Lady’s woods, St Clement’s Wood, and part of Lord’s Wood.[4] Manmade features include an Iron Age hill fort at the top of the woodland, and the ruins of an old gunpowder works beside a tributary of the [River Allen](/source/River_Allen_(Truro)) on the eastern boundary.[5] At the entrance to the woods, there is a café called The Woodman's Cabin and a car park.[6] The woods contain seven routes that are affiliated to Cornwall Orienteering Club and British Orienteering.[7] Being so close to [Truro](/source/Truro), Idless Woods is a popular location for walking, running, riding and cycling.

Plant species include [alder](/source/Alder), [ash](/source/Fraxinus), [aspen](/source/Aspen), [beech](/source/Beech), [blackthorn](/source/Prunus_spinosa), [crab apple](/source/Malus), [downy birch](/source/Betula_pubescens), [elder](/source/Sambucus), [elm](/source/Elm), [goat willow](/source/Salix_caprea), [gorse](/source/Ulex), [guelder-rose](/source/Viburnum_opulus), [hawthorn](/source/Crataegus), [hazel](/source/Hazel), [holly](/source/Holly), [rowan](/source/Rowan), [scot's pine](/source/Pinus_sylvestris), [sessile oak](/source/Quercus_petraea), [silver birch](/source/Betula_pendula), [spindle](/source/Euonymus) and [sycamore](/source/Sycamore).[8] [Eucalyptus](/source/Eucalyptus) have been planted by [Forestry England](/source/Forestry_England) as an experiment.[9]

Idless woods has a diverse range of wildlife, including [red deer](/source/Red_deer), [roe deer](/source/Roe_deer), [otter](/source/Otter), [badger](/source/Badger),[10] and [water shrew](/source/Water_shrew).[11]

The woods are listed in the [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book) (1086) as consisting of 40 acres of woodland owned by Alfred of Helstone.[12]

## Cornish wrestling

[Cornish wrestling](/source/Cornish_wrestling) tournaments for prizes were held in Idless in the 1800s[13] and 1900s.[14] Venues included the field adjoining the Woodman's Arms.[15]

## External links

- [https://www.idlesswoods.org](https://www.idlesswoods.org)

## References

1. *Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 204*Truro & Falmouth (Roseland Peninsula)'**. Ordnance Survey. 2009. ISBN 978-0-319-23290-3.**

1. Ordnance Survey *One-inch Map of Great Britain; Truro and Falmouth, sheet 190*. 1961

1. Thorn, C. et al., ed. (1979) *Cornwall*. Chichester: Phillimore; entry 5,15,6

1. ["An Autumn Stroll at Idless Woods"](https://thegreatcornishoutdoors.com/idless-woods/). *The Great Cornish Outdoors*. 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Idless Woods Cornwall, tourist guide & map, events, accommodation, businesses, history, photos, videos"](https://www.intocornwall.com/engine/azabout.asp?guide=Idless+Woods). *www.intocornwall.com*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["An Autumn Stroll at Idless Woods"](https://thegreatcornishoutdoors.com/idless-woods/). *The Great Cornish Outdoors*. 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Orienteering at Idless Woods"](https://www.forestryengland.uk/idless-woods/orienteering-idless-woods). *Forestry England*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Idless Species - Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life"](https://www.idlesswoods.org/idless-species). *Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Idless Woods Walk | A Charming Forest with Historic Sites"](https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/cornwall/idless-woods-walk/). *10Adventures*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Idless Woods Cornwall, tourist guide & map, events, accommodation, businesses, history, photos, videos"](https://www.intocornwall.com/engine/azabout.asp?guide=Idless+Woods). *www.intocornwall.com*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Blog - Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life"](https://www.idlesswoods.org/blog). *Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. ["Idless Ecosystem - Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life"](https://www.idlesswoods.org/idless-ecosystem). *Idless Woods - Bringing ecology to life*. Retrieved 2022-03-21.

1. Royal Cornwall Gazette, 11 October 1873.

1. Royal Cornwall Gazette, 1 November 1900.

1. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 5 October 1871.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Idless](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idless) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idless?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.