Historical sites of West Cornwall

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by: lw
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Word Count: 457
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 Time: 8:22 AM
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Cornwall is more often associated with sun and sand than it is ancient history, particularly when viewed through the eyes of a prospective holiday visitor. Yet, when planning a visit to the region it is certainly worth setting aside some time to take in some of these places of worship, ancient villages and landmarks for a real insight into the earliest days of civilization in the area. The westernmost tip of the duchy is where you'll find the highest concentration of such sites.

Chapel Carn Brea
Aside from the fantastic view of the surrounding area one has from its summit, Chapel Carn Brea near Sennen Cove still boasts considerable evidence of ancient Neolithic activity to be explored. Small stone monuments are scattered around the area, while the summit consists of numerous boulders which would have likely been part of the chapel and accompanying hermitage. The hill is still used as a beacon and is lit every midsummer.

Chysauster
This ancient village dates from around 100 BC and much of the general outline of the houses and central street remain very much intact. Located near Gulval to the north of Penzance, Chysauster's eight houses are distinctively oval shaped and feature courtyards and chambers with walls which have survived to around three feet in some places. The village is also home to a ‘fogou' - an underground passage with an unknown purpose. Today, Chysauster is cared for by English Heritage and is open to the public from April to October.

The Merry Maidens
The Merry Maidens is quite a different site again. 19 standing stones or megaliths (some reach up to 1.4 metres) stand in a circle formation with a noticeable entrance to the east, and can be located two miles south of St Buryan. There are many stone circles across the South West, but The Merry Maidens have an added allure due to the legend that tells of why they came to be. The local myth is that each stone was a maiden who was turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday, the same story also refers to the nearby stones: The Pipers, who were said to be the musicians they danced to.

Carn Euny
Much like Chysauster, Carn Euny is another ancient village in the region, but is better known for its impressive ‘fogou' than for the remnants of the houses and rooms. The village is located near Sancreed and it is said to have been established around 200 BC, with the stone buildings dating from a century later. The ‘fogou' at the site is significant because it is 65 feet long and is taller than others - with it being quite possible to stand up within it.

About the Author

Sam Southern writes about Cornwall self catering and hotels in the region. For more details about staying in the area visit: http://www.killanoon.co.uk/