More Ancient Sites of Penwith

Chapel Carn Brea Grid ref. SW385280.
The 'most westerly hill in Britain'. It is an outstanding landmark dominating the surrounding countryside. From its summit, some 657 feet above sea level it is possible to overlook St. Just to the north, Sennen and Lands End to the west and Mounts Bay to the southeast. There is a ruined Bronze Age Chambered Barrow at the summit as well as the former site of a medieval chapel. A fire beacon is lit here every Midsummer's eve. The hill lies at the western end of Bartinney Downs near the Land's End Aerodrome just northwest of the hamlet of Crows-an-Wra. Shouldn't be confused with Carn Brea hill overlooking the Camborne-Redruth area. In the stewardship of the National Trust since May 1971. There is a reasonable sized car park here. More photographs...

Carn Euny Grid ref. SW402288.
Carn Euny is the site of an ancient Iron Age village. The nearby Bronze Age fogou is quite spacious unlike many others found in Cornwall. The entrance passageway rapidly increases from 3 to almost 6 feet high in places. A metal grille has been placed in the ceiling of the underground corbelled chamber allowing light to illuminate the interior. It is thought that the underground chamber was built first with the west and east entrances being added later. The settlement is in very good condition - possibly due to its remote location. It lies mid-way between Sancreed and Land's End Aerodrome near the hamlet of Grumbla. In the stewardship of English Heritage. More photographs...

Brane Grid ref. SW401280.
This tomb and Chambered Barrow dates from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age - about 2500 BC to 1000 BC and might almost be overlooked on first sight. It lies on private farmland near Crows-an-Wra, mid-way between Carn Euny and Boscawen-Ün. It is largely enveloped by a gorse bush that grows right through the structure. Ask at the farm to visit.Technical Information: Height 0.9m.

Boscawen-Ün(Boscawen Oon) Grid ref. SW412274
A fine Bronze Age stone circle consisting of 19 granite uprights surrounding a leaning 2.4 metre stone set just off-centre. The 'female' stone indicating the western boundary is a large quartz stone that glistens brightly on a sunny day. The circle is set about 1 mile north of St. Buryan just off the main Penzance to Land's End road (A30). It is just over ½ mile west of The Blind Fiddler (Grid ref. SW425281) - an impressive Bronze Age mênhir or standing stone some 3 metres tall. Technical Information: Circle Diameter 21-24m

Boleigh: Tregyffian Burial Chamber Grid ref. SW430244
A Neolithic Chamber Tomb or barrow of the Scillonian type. It is situated adjacent to the Merry Maidens stone circle at Boleigh, north-west of Lamorna village. Discovered during road widening in the mid nineteenth century, it is overlooked by many visitors who speed past this 4,500 year old site.Technical Information: Width 1.8m, Height 1.0m.

Boleigh: The Merry Maidens Grid ref. SW433245.
Probably one of the best known stone circles of the Land's End Peninsula, due largely to its proximity to the resorts of Mousehole and Porthcurno. Dates from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age - about 2500 BC to 1000 BC. The 19 stone circle offers a quick introduction to ancient Cornwall with little effort from the curious visitor. Two small car parks offer easy access to the site - no yomping across moorland here! Technical Information: Circle Diameter 23m; Height of Stones: 1.2m average

Boleigh Fogou - Grid ref. SW437252.
It is thought to date from either the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age and so is only about 3000 years old. A fogou is basically a low tunnel leading to some sort of underground refuge. Their exact use is not known but as very few have any archaeological remains, they are thought to have been used for ceremonial rather than burial purposes. See also Halliggye Fogou near Garras, Helston and the fine example at Carn Euny - Grid ref.SW402288.

Boleigh: The Pipers
The Pipers are a pair of Bronze Age mênhirs (long stones) standing 4m and 4.5m tall in farmland just to the north-east of the Merry Maidens Stone Circle at Boleigh. Despite their size they are largely overlooked by the casual visitor. They form part of the Boleigh group of ancient sites. There is a definite alignment of these Bronze Age sites, leading from Boleigh Fogou at one end through the Pipers and Merry Maidens to Tregiffian Barrow and Gûn Rith, Grid ref. SW437252 to Grid ref. SW429245 at the other. The modern landscape however makes sighting this interaction almost impossible.

Chysauster Grid ref. SW472350.
This Iron Age Village lies just west of Castle-an-Dinas - Grid ref. SW485350 and is reached by taking the left fork (minor road) off the B3311 at Badger's Cross. It is a good place to start for the beginner. The houses have been well excavated and the enclosed area makes it relatively safe for young children. There is also a (infilled) fogou on the site. It is maintained by English Heritage. More Photographs...

Chysauster Ancient Village - Tel. (07831) 757934 - Open April to October.