My Cornish plans

Cornwall 51

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suave harv Nov 29, 2004 21:16:28

Me and me Red Van are getting off to Cornwall for a three day circle-fest. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions on my itinerary.

I'm posting my itinerary here because folks here know Land's End so well, (blimey, goffik's only just got back!) Tell you what though, it's a bit easier planning a circle hunt on Land's End than it is planning one in Cork!
There are five circles on Land's End itself, (on the map browser anyway), Burl has more in his big book, I'll be taking his book just in case, but here's my 'must see' list.

Boscawen Un (easy, I've been before, can't wait to get back!)
Merry Maidens (ditto)
Porthmeor (Treen Common) Can be seen from the road. I like those! Ruined, but hey, it's by the road!
Tregeseal. Looks like a bit of a walk, and Burl mentions two more circles close-by, anyone seen the other two Tregeseal circles? (both are ruined). Are they worth hunting down?
Then the Nine Maidens. A walk from the Men-An-Tol. I assume this is also called the Nine Stones of Boskednan. How much time should I allow? Is it like, miles from the Men An Tol? Will check out the Men Scryfa too.
I've got perhaps two and a half full days at Land's End, (but am going to Boleigh Fogou too – I've already phoned 'em!).

Friday morning it's Bodmin. Hurlers, Cheeswring and Craddock Moor Circle. But I've read Craddock is hard to find. . Are there any other Bodmin circles by the road? (I don't want to do too much walking because of the daylight hours/time/cold weather/laziness factor). I don't want to spend time looking for an elusive circle when there may be a more complete on by the road elsewhere.

And Duloe. I've got to see Duloe.

So- Friday
Hurlers, Cheesewring and possibly Craddock.
Duloe on the way to Land's End.
Find a pub with b&b in Penzance.
Lots of beer & pasties.

Saturday
Boleigh Fogou
Merry Maidens
Boscawen Un
Chun Quoit, Tresegal circle,
Lots Of Beer & pasties

Sunday
Lanyon, Nine Maidens, Men An Tol.
Treen Common
Pastie dinner.
Sunday afternoon, Re-visit ones I want to re-visit.

Although it looks a lot, I don't think it's too rushed. Certainly do-able.

FourWinds Nov 29, 2004 21:24:44

Replying to suave harv

>> Then the Nine Maidens. A walk from the Men-An-Tol. I assume this is also called the Nine
>> Stones of Boskednan. How much time should I allow? Is it like, miles from the Men An Tol?

25-30 mins walk and a lovely walk it is too!

ocifant Nov 29, 2004 21:49:13

Replying to suave harv

Ok, a few comments:

Craddock Moor. If you like walking a mile or so across open country to see half buried rocks, fine. Stannon Moor is much easier to find, you can drive to within a couple of hundred yards of it, but it's totally the other side of Bodmin from the Hurlers complex. Another Bodmin circle near the road is the Trippet Stones. Again, drive to within a couple of hundred yards, or closer - viewable in the distance from the A30.

B&B. I can heartily recommend Hilary at the Scilly View in Trewellard, opposite the Trewellard Hotel (call 01736 786367 to book). Handy for most sites (within 15-20 minutes drive of most sites in Penwith).

Tregeseal, there's only the one circle extant. Easiest walk is all uphill - 25-30 minutes.

Boskednan. I regularly walk from Men an Tol studio, past Men an Tol and Men Scryfa, up to the circle and back via the mine and Bosiliack Barrow, down to West Lanyon Farm and along the road (use a map!). Some uphill walking - the 4 mile trip takes me around 90 minutes in total.

Finally, you could arrange a trip past Wendron Nine Maidens - only 4-5 stones left but it's another tick on the list!

And I'm trying hard not to get jealous!

Mr Hamhead Nov 29, 2004 22:21:02

Replying to suave harv

Hi SH

stand by for my thoughts on Bodmin Moor...

Go to Minions, do the Hurlers, out to Cheeswring and then back down the hill and cross the moor to Craddock, if you have time you could visit the stone row and embanked avanue nearby. Which friday are you down? I would be happy to meet up at Minions and save you a bit of time. can't do this Friday though but if you want to leave it till Sunday?

If you do Duloe first then you could carry on from Minions by driving from Redgate to Bolventor up the Fowey valley and then visit the Trippet stones (5 mins walk from road).

Stannon is really close to the road but takes a while to get to from anywhere, I was up there yesterday..bloody cold and quite overgrown at the moment...sheep needed!

As for west penwith, i agree with Ocifant and four winds, it don't take long to get from the Men an Tol to Nine maidens...have a look at my weblog at

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/user/320/weblog/0/24298

for my experience down there earlier this year.

As for a B&B pub in Penzance, my regular is The Dock, which you might be surprised to find is down by the harbour. Nothing fancy but the beer is good and the locals are always friendly...haven't stayed there though...got friends in Newlyn.

goffik Nov 29, 2004 22:51:01

Replying to suave harv

Gah! I'll have a look at this tomorrow - can't resist my two penn'orth! ;o) No time now tho... :(

G x