Ancient sites

West Penwith

West Penwith is home to numerous ancient sites – far too many to explore in just one day. There are also so many ways to ‘see’ the sites too, from tours that explore their relationship with the stars to carefully preserved ancient villages that give you a feel for how people lived all those years ago.

From stone circles to neolithic quoits, discover Cornwall’s ancient past

You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, it would take around two-three days.

Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.

Some of the activities in this itinerary require a good level of mobility and fitness. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to find out more.

Have you ever wondered how people lived thousands of years ago? Carn Euny is an incredible ancient village that’s said to be one of the best-preserved sites in the region. Inside, you’ll find the remains of stone houses and a fogou – a walled underground passage that’s unique to this part of Cornwall. Find out more here.

Carn Euny Ancient Village

English Heritage

Ballowall Barrow

English Heritage

Overlooking the dramatic Atlantic Ocean near St Just, you’ll find the ruins of a Bronze age funerary monument. Ballowall Barrow is thought to have been a shrine deliberately built close to the cliff edge. Thanks to the work of English Heritage, you can visit this complex prehistoric tomb and learn about the objects discovered during its excavation.

Bronze Age Walk

Archeoastronomy Cornwall

Get a deeper understanding of West Penwith’s ancient sites with a unique tour from an archeoastronomy expert. Carolyn Kennett shares her extensive knowledge of the area and how our ancestors connected with the sky. The Bronze Age tour is a three-mile guided walk to see a Bronze Age village, stone circles, barrows and more. It can be booked through AirBNB experiences.

Mên-an-Tol

Stone circle in Madron

Mên-an-Tol is a collection of granite stones believed to date back to the Bronze Age. Its name translates to ‘holed stone’, which makes sense when you see the centre stone’s striking shape. Some say the site is the remains of a stone circle, others claim it’s part of an ancient burial chamber. You can find out more from Historic Cornwall here. If you follow the Penwith Landscape Partnership’s circular walk, you’ll also see Greenburrow Engine House, Bosiliack Entrance Grave and the Nine Maidens Stone Circle.

Tinner’s Arms

Zennor

Whether you’re walking the South West Coast Path or exploring the ancient sites of West Penwith, make sure you pause for lunch in Zennor. The Tinner’s Arms is a traditional Cornish pub that claims to have been built in 1271. It boasts a crackling fire, local ales and a delicious menu to fuel your adventures. The story goes that DH Lawrence once stayed here for a fortnight. Find out more here.

Places to eat

Essential Information

Places to stay

Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.

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Accessibility

Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible, however some will be difficult to access with limited mobility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.