Five to try: lost ruins and ancient stones

Cornwall has many ruins, ancient hill forts, sacred stones and abandoned industrial relics. Experience the rich history of this special region first hand.

Carn Euny Ancient Settlement, Penwith
One of the finest Iron Age village sites in the UK dating back to the time of Christ. Hidden away up a narrow lane and more atmospheric than nearby Chysauster, the site includes a handful of courtyard houses and an underground fogou passage. Close by is a holy well dedicated to St Uny.
SW 4024 2885

Zennor Hill & Quoit, Zennor
A magnificent burial chamber, despite the fact that a farmer in the 1861 tried to convert it into a cow shed. It looks out over the Atlantic from its high wild moorland vantage point above the village of Zennor. Zennor Hill lies just two miles west of St Ives and the Quoit lies on the West Penwith moors above.
SW 4687 3801

Wheal Trewavas, Rinsey, Mount's Bay
Epic, cliff-edge engine houses that served copper mines that stretched far out under the sea. Located on the South West Coast Path between Porthleven and Marazion.
SW 5995 2650

Rame Head Chapel, Rame Head
St Michael’s chapel was built in 1397, initially as a simple hermitage, lighthouse and look-out point. It’s the perfect ruin, perfectly located and sometimes, from its stunning location on the highest point of Rame Head, you can see as far as the Lizard.
SX 4181 4833

Hurlers Stone Circle, Minions
Bodmin Moor, first inhabited over 6000 years ago is now one of the Cornwall's last truly wild areas. Take a walk between the three impressive Bronze Age circles of standing stones set high on the moor surrounded by many other prehistoric monuments.
SX 2582 7139