thesweetcheat
Visited 23 June 2023.
A lovely summer’s day, we walk from St Keverne, after a look around the church. Winding, narrow lanes that would probably be quiet most of the time are being used by a succession of huge tractors and trailers, so getting to the Beacon without being permanently squashed into a hedge is quite the triumph.
The Beacon turns out to be easy to access, a double stile from the road next to the trig pillar giving access straight to it. It can also be reached from the field-gate to the southwest, providing a more level (but potentially muddier) route to the barrow.
The Beacon itself is a really impressive mound. It has a metal cage on its top, for wood to light the beacon fires, but is otherwise in excellent condition, a very tall, grassy mound.
Although the Lizard isn’t particularly hilly, the Beacon stands on top of one of the area’s highest and most prominent summits; only a metre or so lower than Goonhilly Down a few miles away. This gives it superb views, especially to the coast to the northeast. Falmouth and St Mawes are easy to see, but despite the slight haze we can see Nare Head and Gull Island, and as far away as Dodman Point with its huge cliff fort. It’s easy to see why this spot was chosen for a beacon, but also for a round barrow. Presumably a fire atop Carne Beacon near Veryan would be visible from here. We stop for lunch and enjoy the quiet now the tractors have gone.
After a while we head off northeast, to an even more exciting site, Higher Boden Fogou.
Video showing the restoration of the fallen lintel at Higher Boden Fogou earlier this year.
The fort, centre, seen across Pedn Vounder beach from the west.
Image credit: A. Brookes (22.6.2023)
The huge banks of the outer ramparts, seen from Treen Cliff to the northwest.
Image credit: A. Brookes (22.6.2023)
The inner fort, an amazing place of sheer cliffs and jagged rock, with a stone rampart at its base.
Image credit: A. Brookes (22.6.2023)
The natural defences; steep cliffs protecting the ‘neck’ of the fort. Looking west towards Porthcurno.
Image credit: A. Brookes (22.6.2023)
Structural remains in the middle ramparts.
Image credit: A. Brookes (22.6.2023)
Photographer unknown. Photo on display at Penlee House, showing the Penwith Natural History and Antiquarian Society at Men-an-Tol on the Society’s Annual Excursion, 1909.
Image credit: Penlee House Museum and Gallery/A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Photographer unknown: a family outing to Lanyon Quoit. Photograph on display in Penlee House, Penzance. With apologies for reflections in the glass.
Image credit: Penlee House Museum and Gallery/A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Photograph displayed at Penlee House, showing Penwith Natural History and Antiquarian Society at Men Scrifa [sic] on the Society’s Annual Excursion, 1909. The inscription on the stone has been chalked to make it easier to read. Apologies for the reflections from the glass.
Image credit: Penlee House Museum and Gallery/A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Ephemeral Midsummer offerings of flowers and a slice of peach left on the slab in front of the chamber. Carn Galva and Ding Dong engine house on the skyline.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Midsummer at the wonderful Bosiliack.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Midsummer Maidens from the south. I’ve waded through the gorse so you don’t have to.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Approaching from the south.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
The very overgrown NW barrow, set apart from the others. The long ridge beyond is Devoran Common/Botrea, where there is a linear group of rare (for this area) platform or disc barrows, a couple of which can just be seen as low bumps on the skyline.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Midsummer, the surviving circle seen from the scant remains of the western circle.
Image credit: A. Brookes (21.6.2023)
Escalls Cliff cairn is on the clifftop, centre. Seen across the bay from Sennen Cove.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.6.2023)
Five minutes later I was caught by probably the heaviest downpour I’ve ever been outside in.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
The NW quadrant, generally the part of the circle I visit the least.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
My conclusion is that June is not the best month to visit the barrow on Waden Hill, unless you like thistles.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Seen from the bridleway to the west.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Dense summer vegetation on the mound. Prepare to be stung!
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
The western end of the barrow. Difficult to see at this resolution, but West Kennett long barrow (far left) and Silbury (left of centre) can be seen in the distance.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Approaching from the south, the thick canopy and dense midsummer vegetation a bit of a shock after my previous midwinter visits.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
The long barrow in the centre, seen from Harestone Down to the SSW.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
From the track to the west.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Midsummer chalkland vegetation, in contrast to my previous midwinter visits.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Looking southwest, with Rybury beyond on the right.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Ditch on the left, looking northwest towards Cherhill.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Clifford’s Hill (left) and Rybury (centre) from the lower slopes of Tan Hill to the northeast.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Looking east from the earthwork on Clifford’s Hill, towards Milk Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire. Over to the right of centre, Adam’s Grave long barrow is prominent on its own hilltop.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Rybury from Clifford’s Hill, with Tan Hill rising behind.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Western flank, looking back up to Tan Hill.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)
Rybury from Tan Hill. The earthwork annex to the left can be clearly seen from here.
Image credit: A. Brookes (10.6.2023)