Men Gurta is very close to the St Breock Downs windfarm. When the wind is up the atmosphere is broken by the continuous 'woomph, woomph, woomph' of the turbine blades.
Image credit: Roy Reed
Images
Image credit: texlahoma
Image credit: texlahoma
September 2015
Image credit: Michael Mitchell
September 2015
Image credit: Michael Mitchell
September 2015
Image credit: Michael Mitchell
September 2015
Image credit: Michael Mitchell
September 2015
Image credit: Michael Mitchell
Men Gurta (CHT Information Panel)
Image credit: Roy Reed
Men Gurta (The St Breock Downs Monolith)
Image credit: Roy Reed
Men Gurta (The St Breock Downs Monolith)
Image credit: Roy Reed
Men Gurta (The St Breock Downs Monolith)
Image credit: Roy Reed
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
The Stone offers a myriad of textures and colours, all adding to its wonder.
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Image credit: Barry Lalanne
Presenting... the impressively massive Men Gurta! What a big fella!
Image credit: Graham Orriss
In a stroke of genius I booked another week in Cornwall for the week the clocks change, and a week of stunning weather! It is early April and Bodmin Moor is tinder dry. Just before I arrived there had been several small fires in North Cornwall nd the day I left there was a large gorse fire at the other end of Cornwall (on the Lizard peninsula).
I stopped off in Dartmoor on the way, the sun was blazing and Fernworthy forest was so peaceful. Although it’s usually only the circle that is talked about Fernworthy is one of these ‘complexs’ with a stone circle , two cairns and cairn circles, two stone rows, and possible others. I was so taken in that I began to think I was an archaeologist for a day and soon I will have to unleash diagrams onto this fantastic TMA site! The south side of the forest also has a stone row. And a brisk walk onto the moor brings you to the Greywethers, a restored and stunning double circle. I also tried to find the Heath Stone on the way out. Does visiting ancient sites get much better than today?
On Sunday I went to the St Breock Downs area, checking out the St Breock Wind Farm Barrow, the colossal Men Gurta Menhir, and peering at the St. Breock Downs Menhir. I then moved south to the China Clay country (sounds like a theme park) to find the moved Menevagar / Roche Longstone and the huge Hensbarrow – this is the highest natural point in the area and the views back across the valley are stunning, with the St Breock Downs wind farm clearly visible. However, if you ignore the nice bit of the view you could just as easily think you are sitting on the moon as the clay works surround you. To round off a pretty lazy day I visited the two sites closest to where I was staying – Headon Barrow and Warbstow Bury, the later being quite stunning and the best-preserved hill slope fort in Cornwall.
On Monday I pleasured myself (steady on!) with a trip to the St.Austell Brewery – staustellbrewery.co.uk – and onto Mevagissey for sarnies on the harbour. I had forgotten my maps so instead of heading off for some yomping on Bodmin Moor I had to pull Plan B out, which was a visit to The County Museum in Truro – royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk – I knew that the famed cup marked stone from the Tregiffian Burial Chamber was there, as was a copy of the Rillaton Cup, and other things. There is a huge amount to see and as they are a registered charity it is £4 well spent (and please fill out a Gift Aid form, so they can reclaim your tax!)
Tuesday led me on a huge barrow hunt, including the massive Tich Barrow, one of the Starapark Barrows, the Advent Triple Barrow (a rarity), and the Crowdy Reservoir Barrow and then several wind swept hours in the Roughtor area, including the Showery Tor ring cairn and cheesewring, and the Showery Tor Embanked Avenue, the Showery Tor Downs Cairn, Roughtor Slopes Cairn and three possible standing stones in the area. In an action packed day I also went to the fascinating King Arthur’s Hall, , the nearby King Arthur's Downs Stone Circles, the Casehill Cairn, and explored around the area; expect a diagram soon! On the way home I had a quick stop at Helsbury Castle.
Like it or loathe it I thought The Museum of Witchcraft – museumofwitchcraft.com – was worth a visit so the next day I went to see it in Boscastle’s picturesque harbour. I was glad to see the Museum asking people not to have fires, leave rubbish or ‘inappropriate offerings’ at ancient sites. Later I visited three great cliff castle’s close by – Willabury Cliff Castle (Boscastle) plus the fascinating ‘stitch’ system of agriculture on Forrabury Common, Willabury Cliff Castle (Tintagel), and Tintagel itself. I also saw the curious Rocky Valley Rock Carvings but I’m even less convinced now. I had a quick search for Ugworthy Barrows (actually over the border in Devon) and the rare Woolley Long Barrow.
I really don’t seem to have got the hang of these ‘holidays’ have I? Not much resting going on, so I only went out on the moors late on Thursday, and spent some of Friday re-reading one of favourite books on the beach at Crackington Haven (‘Life and Times of Michael K’ by J.M.Coetzee if anyone is interested).
So several hours on Thursday were spent on Fox Tor & East Moor and in the Leskernick area of Bodmin Moor. Two totally different environments in one way (the former gorsey and brown, the later green but scarred and pitted like the moon) separated by the A30 but both full of ancient sites, and continued finds. East Moor includes the Fox Tor Stone Row (apparently), the East Moor Stone Row, and possible Menhir / Stone setting, and the Nine Stones of Altarnun. The Leskernick area is still being explored and new things still being found. My few hours included Leskernick Stone Row, a cairn near the stone row, Leskernick Stone Circel (Northern), Leskernick Stone Circle (South), the Leskernick ‘Quoit’, the Cairns on the summit of The Beacon, and a possible Kerbed Cairn and Barrow Cemetery on The Beacon
Image credit: Martin Bull
In a stroke of genius I booked another week in Cornwall for the week the clocks change, and a week of stunning weather! It is early April and Bodmin Moor is tinder dry. Just before I arrived there had been several small fires in North Cornwall nd the day I left there was a large gorse fire at the other end of Cornwall (on the Lizard peninsula).
I stopped off in Dartmoor on the way, the sun was blazing and Fernworthy forest was so peaceful. Although it’s usually only the circle that is talked about Fernworthy is one of these ‘complexs’ with a stone circle , two cairns and cairn circles, two stone rows, and possible others. I was so taken in that I began to think I was an archaeologist for a day and soon I will have to unleash diagrams onto this fantastic TMA site! The south side of the forest also has a stone row. And a brisk walk onto the moor brings you to the Greywethers, a restored and stunning double circle. I also tried to find the Heath Stone on the way out. Does visiting ancient sites get much better than today?
On Sunday I went to the St Breock Downs area, checking out the St Breock Wind Farm Barrow, the colossal Men Gurta Menhir, and peering at the St. Breock Downs Menhir. I then moved south to the China Clay country (sounds like a theme park) to find the moved Menevagar / Roche Longstone and the huge Hensbarrow – this is the highest natural point in the area and the views back across the valley are stunning, with the St Breock Downs wind farm clearly visible. However, if you ignore the nice bit of the view you could just as easily think you are sitting on the moon as the clay works surround you. To round off a pretty lazy day I visited the two sites closest to where I was staying – Headon Barrow and Warbstow Bury, the later being quite stunning and the best-preserved hill slope fort in Cornwall.
On Monday I pleasured myself (steady on!) with a trip to the St.Austell Brewery – staustellbrewery.co.uk – and onto Mevagissey for sarnies on the harbour. I had forgotten my maps so instead of heading off for some yomping on Bodmin Moor I had to pull Plan B out, which was a visit to The County Museum in Truro – royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk – I knew that the famed cup marked stone from the Tregiffian Burial Chamber was there, as was a copy of the Rillaton Cup, and other things. There is a huge amount to see and as they are a registered charity it is £4 well spent (and please fill out a Gift Aid form, so they can reclaim your tax!)
Tuesday led me on a huge barrow hunt, including the massive Tich Barrow, one of the Starapark Barrows, the Advent Triple Barrow (a rarity), and the Crowdy Reservoir Barrow and then several wind swept hours in the Roughtor area, including the Showery Tor ring cairn and cheesewring, and the Showery Tor Embanked Avenue, the Showery Tor Downs Cairn, Roughtor Slopes Cairn and three possible standing stones in the area. In an action packed day I also went to the fascinating King Arthur’s Hall, , the nearby King Arthur's Downs Stone Circles, the Casehill Cairn, and explored around the area; expect a diagram soon! On the way home I had a quick stop at Helsbury Castle.
Like it or loathe it I thought The Museum of Witchcraft – museumofwitchcraft.com – was worth a visit so the next day I went to see it in Boscastle’s picturesque harbour. I was glad to see the Museum asking people not to have fires, leave rubbish or ‘inappropriate offerings’ at ancient sites. Later I visited three great cliff castle’s close by – Willabury Cliff Castle (Boscastle) plus the fascinating ‘stitch’ system of agriculture on Forrabury Common, Willabury Cliff Castle (Tintagel), and Tintagel itself. I also saw the curious Rocky Valley Rock Carvings but I’m even less convinced now. I had a quick search for Ugworthy Barrows (actually over the border in Devon) and the rare Woolley Long Barrow.
I really don’t seem to have got the hang of these ‘holidays’ have I? Not much resting going on, so I only went out on the moors late on Thursday, and spent some of Friday re-reading one of favourite books on the beach at Crackington Haven (‘Life and Times of Michael K’ by J.M.Coetzee if anyone is interested).
So several hours on Thursday were spent on Fox Tor & East Moor and in the Leskernick area of Bodmin Moor. Two totally different environments in one way (the former gorsey and brown, the later green but scarred and pitted like the moon) separated by the A30 but both full of ancient sites, and continued finds. East Moor includes the Fox Tor Stone Row (apparently), the East Moor Stone Row, and possible Menhir / Stone setting, and the Nine Stones of Altarnun. The Leskernick area is still being explored and new things still being found. My few hours included Leskernick Stone Row, a cairn near the stone row, Leskernick Stone Circel (Northern), Leskernick Stone Circle (South), the Leskernick ‘Quoit’, the Cairns on the summit of The Beacon, and a possible Kerbed Cairn and Barrow Cemetery on The Beacon
Image credit: Martin Bull
Image credit: Mike Murray
Image credit: Mike Murray
Image credit: Phil in Cornwall
28/10/01
Image credit: Phil Ellery
Articles
I visited here a couple of weeks ago and there is now a signpost marked 'St Breock Downs Monolith' (no idea why they don't use its Celtic name), but as Men Gurta is only about 15 metres from the track of the Saint's Way it's probably easier just to follow those signs once you're on St Breock Downs.
The stone itself is still kept free of gorse, and there is a new Cornish Heritage Trust information panel near the stone.
The previously mentioned wind farm windmills aren't there at the moment, but there are still some huts and portacabins which make it look like they will be erecting some new ones in the not too distant future.
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Visited 16.4.12
Aha, another E.H. site to knock off the list!
Although unusually for E.H. this site is not sign posted from any of the minor roads so finding it would be tricky without an O/S map.
Once you do find the stone access is very easy. You can park virtually next to the stone and it was nice to see that the area around the stone had been kept clear of the dreaded gorse. An information panel stands in front of the stone.
Despite the near by wind turbines there are good views to be had.
This amazing monolith's markings give it an almost reptilian quality, scarred through with quartz. Striped, it gave me the impression of a dinosaur.
Peaking over the hedgerow as you approach, It is hugely impressive the closer you get. Towering 12 ft above you, it is a wonderful sight and well worth the hike up here.
There was no rubbish either, which had been a concern reading other field notes.
The gentle swoosh of the wind turbines in the distance got me to thinking what the erectors of this masterly stone would have made of the surroundings 3000 years on.
The silence was shattered by the FMJ screaming at the site of a grass snake. I should think it was more bothered at the interuption of it's sunbathing
What a lump!..and I love this North Cornwall quartz seamed stone. As someone has allready said it is a shame about the rubbish strewn about the site...and I would guess it is a local landowner judging by the type of rubbish.
I waited patiently for the sun to come out from behind the clouds to get some decent photos...not sure if I succeded yet..will look later. Very windy and wet underfoot, I want to return on a drier day!
From here it is not far as the crow flies to Pawton Quoit or the Nine Maidens...but legal rights of way are few and far between and I ended up getting in the car and driving to the others. Perhaps on a nicer day I would have persevered and found a route.
In a stroke of genius I booked another week in Cornwall for the week the clocks change, and a week of stunning weather! It is early April and Bodmin Moor is tinder dry. Just before I arrived there had been several small fires in North Cornwall nd the day I left there was a large gorse fire at the other end of Cornwall (on the Lizard peninsula).
I stopped off in Dartmoor on the way, the sun was blazing and Fernworthy forest was so peaceful. Although it’s usually only the circle that is talked about Fernworthy is one of these ‘complexs’ with a stone circle , two cairns and cairn circles, two stone rows, and possible others. I was so taken in that I began to think I was an archaeologist for a day and soon I will have to unleash diagrams onto this fantastic TMA site! The south side of the forest also has a stone row. And a brisk walk onto the moor brings you to the Greywethers, a restored and stunning double circle. I also tried to find the Heath Stone on the way out. Does visiting ancient sites get much better than today?
On Sunday I went to the St Breock Downs area, checking out the St Breock Wind Farm Barrow, the colossal Men Gurta Menhir, and peering at the St. Breock Downs Menhir. I then moved south to the China Clay country (sounds like a theme park) to find the moved Menevagar / Roche Longstone and the huge Hensbarrow – this is the highest natural point in the area and the views back across the valley are stunning, with the St Breock Downs wind farm clearly visible. However, if you ignore the nice bit of the view you could just as easily think you are sitting on the moon as the clay works surround you. To round off a pretty lazy day I visited the two sites closest to where I was staying – Headon Barrow and Warbstow Bury, the later being quite stunning and the best-preserved hill slope fort in Cornwall.
On Monday I pleasured myself (steady on!) with a trip to the St.Austell Brewery – staustellbrewery.co.uk – and onto Mevagissey for sarnies on the harbour. I had forgotten my maps so instead of heading off for some yomping on Bodmin Moor I had to pull Plan B out, which was a visit to The County Museum in Truro – royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk – I knew that the famed cup marked stone from the Tregiffian Burial Chamber was there, as was a copy of the Rillaton Cup, and other things. There is a huge amount to see and as they are a registered charity it is £4 well spent (and please fill out a Gift Aid form, so they can reclaim your tax!)
Tuesday led me on a huge barrow hunt, including the massive Tich Barrow, one of the Starapark Barrows, the Advent Triple Barrow (a rarity), and the Crowdy Reservoir Barrow and then several wind swept hours in the Roughtor area, including the Showery Tor ring cairn and cheesewring, and the Showery Tor Embanked Avenue, the Showery Tor Downs Cairn, Roughtor Slopes Cairn and three possible standing stones in the area. In an action packed day I also went to the fascinating King Arthur’s Hall, , the nearby King Arthur's Downs Stone Circles, the Casehill Cairn, and explored around the area; expect a diagram soon! On the way home I had a quick stop at Helsbury Castle.
Like it or loathe it I thought The Museum of Witchcraft – museumofwitchcraft.com – was worth a visit so the next day I went to see it in Boscastle’s picturesque harbour. I was glad to see the Museum asking people not to have fires, leave rubbish or ‘inappropriate offerings’ at ancient sites. Later I visited three great cliff castle’s close by – Willabury Cliff Castle (Boscastle) plus the fascinating ‘stitch’ system of agriculture on Forrabury Common, Willabury Cliff Castle (Tintagel), and Tintagel itself. I also saw the curious Rocky Valley Rock Carvings but I’m even less convinced now. I had a quick search for Ugworthy Barrows (actually over the border in Devon) and the rare Woolley Long Barrow.
I really don’t seem to have got the hang of these ‘holidays’ have I? Not much resting going on, so I only went out on the moors late on Thursday, and spent some of Friday re-reading one of favourite books on the beach at Crackington Haven (‘Life and Times of Michael K’ by J.M.Coetzee if anyone is interested).
So several hours on Thursday were spent on Fox Tor & East Moor and in the Leskernick area of Bodmin Moor. Two totally different environments in one way (the former gorsey and brown, the later green but scarred and pitted like the moon) separated by the A30 but both full of ancient sites, and continued finds. East Moor includes the Fox Tor Stone Row (apparently), the East Moor Stone Row, and possible Menhir / Stone setting, and the Nine Stones of Altarnun. The Leskernick area is still being explored and new things still being found. My few hours included Leskernick Stone Row, a cairn near the stone row, Leskernick Stone Circel (Northern), Leskernick Stone Circle (South), the Leskernick ‘Quoit’, the Cairns on the summit of The Beacon, and a possible Kerbed Cairn and Barrow Cemetery on The Beacon
This is easy to find,it's by the side of the road in the grass.About 13ft tall with quartz lines running through it.Access no problem.There is a descriptive plaque as can be seen in Phil's photo.
All the great stones in this area have these veins of quartz running through them. I wonder where they came from?
Sites within 20km of Men Gurta
-
St Breock Beacon Kistvaen
photo 15 forum 1 description 4 -
St Breock Downs North Barrows
photo 20 description 1 -
St Breock Downs Menhir
photo 16 forum 1 description 8 -
St Breock Wind Farm Barrow
photo 5 description 3 link 1 -
Pawton Springs
photo 18 description 1 -
Pawton Gate
photo 11 description 1 -
Rosenannon Downs
photo 16 description 1 -
Pawton Quoit
photo 30 description 5 -
Rosenannon Downs W
photo 5 description 1 -
Higher Tregolls
description 1 -
Magi Stone
photo 4 description 3 -
The Nine Maidens
photo 55 forum 1 description 10 -
Prince Parc
description 1 -
Bogee Barrow B
photo 2 forum 1 description 2 -
Higher Trevibban
description 1 -
Pennatillie
description 1 -
Bogee Barrow A
description 2 -
Bogee Farm
description 1 -
The Long Stone
photo 9 forum 1 description 5 -
Castle-an-Dinas (St. Columb)
photo 22 forum 1 description 13 -
Tregoss Moor
description 1 -
Kelly Rounds
description 3 link 1 -
Pencarrow Rings
photo 4 description 2 -
Devil’s Quoit
photo 7 description 4 -
Black Barrow
description 1 -
Deep Tye Farm
forum 1 description 1 -
Castilly Henge
photo 12 description 4 link 1 -
Menevagar Longstone
photo 9 description 3 -
Roche Rock
photo 25 description 10 link 1 -
Penhargard Castle
photo 1 description 2 -
Lower Helland Down
photo 1 description 1 -
St. Eval Church Stones
photo 10 forum 1 description 4 -
Brea Hill
photo 1 -
St. Eval Airfield Stone
photo 11 description 3 -
Polgoda Stone Row
description 1 -
Trevisker Round
photo 1 description 3 -
St Dennis
photo 4 description 4 -
Longstone (St Mabyn)
photo 4 description 1 -
Porthcothan Fogou
photo 1 description 1 -
Treburrick Menhir
photo 4 description 1 -
Hensbarrow
photo 10 description 2 -
Helman Tor Enclosure
photo 2 description 2 -
Harlyn Bay
forum 1 description 5 -
Helman Tor
photo 19 forum 1 description 1 -
Lesquite Quoit
photo 20 description 7 -
Helman Tor Menhir
photo 5 description 1 link 1 -
Saint’s Way Logan Stone
photo 6 -
Castle Canyke
photo 1 description 3 -
Redcliff Castle
photo 8 description 1 -
Rowan Cove
photo 4 -
High Cove
photo 4 -
Fox Cove
photo 4 -
Melancoose Round
description 1 link 1 -
Luxulyan Arse Stones
photo 14 forum 2 description 4 -
Park Head cemetery
photo 16 description 1 -
Winecove Point
photo 12 description 1 -
Constantine Church stone
photo 5 forum 1 description 3 link 2 -
Griffin’s Point
photo 8 description 1 -
Park Head fort
photo 7 -
The Rumps
photo 5 description 3 -
Council Barrow
photo 1 description 2 -
Tregeare Rounds
photo 1 description 1 -
Carbeans Rocks Luxulyan
photo 3 -
Whipsiderry
photo 15 description 2 -
Dinas Head
photo 2 description 1 -
Trevelgue Head
photo 24 description 4 link 1 -
Menear Longstone
photo 6 forum 1 description 2 -
Prideaux Hillfort
photo 3 description 1 -
The Druid’s Chair and Menacuddle Well
photo 10 description 2 -
Lady Down (St Breward)
photo 3 -
Corner Quoit
photo 4 description 1 -
Barrowfields
photo 16 description 3 -
Helsbury Castle
photo 3 description 4 -
Kerrow Downs
photo 5 -
Trehudreth Downs Menhir
photo 5 description 2 link 1 -
Delford Bridge Menhir
photo 13 description 2 -
Trehudreth Downs Menhir (markstone?)
photo 1 description 1 -
Trehudreth Downs Cairn
photo 5 description 2 -
Trehudreth Downs Stone Setting /
Row photo 4 description 2 link 1 -
Colvannick Tor Stone Row
photo 15 description 2 -
Trehudreth Downs Stone Setting
photo 2 description 2 -
Trehudreth Downs Cairn
photo 4 description 2 link 1 -
Trehudreth Downs Stone Row
photo 11 description 3 link 1 -
Bury Castle
photo 6 description 1 -
Greenbarrow
photo 8 description 2 link 1 -
Manor Common
photo 15 description 3 link 1 -
Greenbarrow Downs Cairns
photo 7 description 2 link 1 -
Cardinham Moor
photo 4 description 1 -
Gwallon Menhir
photo 10 description 6 -
Treswallock Downs
photo 16 description 4 link 3 -
Tregingey Round
photo 4 description 1 -
Trippet Stones
photo 73 forum 2 description 15 link 3 -
Devil’s Jump
photo 6 description 1 -
Taphouse Barrows
description 1 -
Alex Tor
photo 8 description 1 link 1 -
Castle Goff
description 1 -
Mitchell Farm
description 1 -
Hendra Farm
description 1 -
Casehill Cairn
photo 7 description 2 -
Leaze Cist
photo 8 description 1 -
King Arthur’s Hall
photo 44 forum 1 description 13 link 1 -
Stripple Stones
photo 60 forum 1 description 6 link 6 -
Carburrow Tor
photo 6 description 4 -
Carburrow Quoit
photo 2 description 1 -
Emblance Downs
photo 18 description 4 link 1 -
Carland Cross Burrows
description 3 -
Treligga Common
photo 8 description 1 -
Castle Dore
photo 7 description 4 -
Leaze
photo 27 description 4 -
Gannel Rock Markings
photo 7 forum 1 description 1 -
Leaze Menhir
photo 2 description 2 -
Castle Gotha Settlement
photo 1 description 1 -
Black Tor Cairns
photo 5 description 1 -
Black Tor
photo 2 description 2 -
Stannon
photo 56 forum 1 description 14 link 2 -
Dinnever Hill kerbed cairn
photo 12 description 1 -
Pentire Point East
photo 11 description 2 -
Louden Stone Circle
photo 21 description 8 link 3 -
Moorgate Menhir
photo 11 description 6