The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

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Creeg Tol (Natural Rock Feature) — Miscellaneous

Among the rocks at Creeg Tol is what appears to be a tiny (a few feet across) stone circle, consisting of nine stones. I'm assuming it's a recent addition, as I've found no mention of it so far. Any ideas? It's certainly been made to look like the 'real thing', if only for the local piskies.

MARCH 2013: Accidentally found the answer to this on the West Cornwall Dowsers' website regarding a field trip to Boscawen-un stone circle: "In March, the West Cornwall Dowsers went for the first time for them to Boscawen-un stone circle. A good turn out of people went firstly to Creeg Tol rocky outcrop above the circle, where an energy line was found crossing the site on the way to and from St.Buryan church, which was visually apparent on the skyline. The Giant's Footprint and Rory Te Tigo's small stone circle were also investigated."

Rory Te Tigo is a local artist/Pagan/witch living in Penwith, so it is a reasonably recent addition.

Bartinne Castle Enclosure — Miscellaneous

I found the numerous paths confusing so; to reach Bartinney/Bartinê/Bartinne (there are numerous spellings of it) Castle from Chapel Carn Brea car park: the path forks almost immediately after the wooden gate. Take the right fork with 'Danger Mine Shafts' sign, through a pair of granite gate posts. Continue all the way along the bottom of the hill, with overgrown mine workings on either side, until just before another wooden gate (St Euny Holy Wells are just on the other side in the trees). Take the path on the left heading straight up. Go over a wooden stile and eventually over a stone stile. When you come to a 'cross roads' take the path closest to straight ahead. The pillar/summit will soon be seen on your right. The views are tremendous, on a par with nearby Trencrom Hill. For an alternative/more direct route back (or there of course): at the 'cross roads' take the right path, through the remains of a wall, ignoring minor paths leading off, bearing left when the main path forks. You will soon see a path on the left heading towards open, grassy land. Take this one, cross the wooden stile a hundred yards or so to the left, then turn right. This path crosses Tredinney Common and will return to the original path. It is less 'pretty' than the route there but handy if the weather closes in!

Madron Holy Well (Sacred Well) — Fieldnotes

The access to this site has been much improved, especially for those with limited mobility. It does not seem to have taken any of the wonderful energy away from the area, and has improved the 'vibe' at the car park, which was dreadful - even those who didn't know the car park's reputation for vandalism felt awful leaving their cars and it was making visiting more difficult. Nice one!

Arbor Low (Circle henge) — Fieldnotes

A word to the wise on Arbor Low: the farm owner whose land you must cross to access the site appears to be quite discouraging to visitors. An email to ask about hours/dates of access received a very unfriendly reply and when we got there, we found an open tin for our £1 fees, which looked trusting until we bumped into the woman who'd replied to my mail – her only conversation was to ask if we'd paid. Later on, we saw her checking the tin. Her attitude spoilt the visit for my partner and I think we would have stayed much longer if we'd felt welcome.

Despite this, it is a very unusual site – a stone circle protected by a fortress – and well worth experiencing. Julian Cope (and the info board at the car park) states that the stones had fallen down, but I got the feeling that they were meant to lay flat – to me the place looked like a giant clock face.

Once I had my back to the farmhouse I got a much better vibe.
Dark fantasy/horror short story/novella writer and standing stone hugger living in West Cornwall. Find me at www.julietravis.wordpress.com.

I was given a copy of TMA by my parents when it was first published and it reignited my interest in archaeology. Have been learning about and visiting sacred sites ever since.

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