<< Our Photo Pages >> Zennor Quoit - Portal Tomb in England in Cornwall

Submitted by vicky on Tuesday, 12 May 2009  Page Views: 33724

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Zennor Quoit
Country: England County: Cornwall Type: Portal Tomb
Nearest Town: St Ives  Nearest Village: Zennor
Map Ref: SW46883802  Landranger Map Number: 203
Latitude: 50.187983N  Longitude: 5.547382W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

dotjay coin KieKa cappy would like to visit

micske visited on 15th Oct 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

LiveAndrew visited on 13th May 2021 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3

Catrinm visited on 23rd Sep 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

lucasn visited on 24th May 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

jeffrep visited on 16th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

TheCaptain visited on 27th Sep 2008 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3 I don’t quite know how I have never been to visit this before, and it takes a bit of finding, despite the fact it can be seen from a long way away on the hilltop, the problem is finding a path through the chest high gorse and brambles which takes you to it. I eventually got to it from Sperris Quoit via several long zig zag pathways, probably walking three times the distance to it as would be how the chough flies ! Wow, this is a big old thing, far bigger than I was expecting. Makes me wonder what it was all like originally, before part of it was destroyed, the capstone fell and the other alterations. This is a lovely spot up here, lots of blue scabious? flowering all around, birds singing and insects buzzing. I try a few “arty” pictures using the shadows and gaps in the stones.

stuqpr visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3 One of my very favorite sites.

Bladup rldixon TimPrevett AngieLake JimChampion sem ocifant cazzyjane AnnabelleStar have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.43 Ambience: 4.29 Access: 3

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by ocifant : Zennor Quoit, Cornwall (Vote or comment on this photo)
Burial Chamber in Cornwall. Lying in a fantastic location high on the moors, Zennor is quite well preserved. The huge capstone has fallen and leans on the chamber which is composed of seven uprights with a facade. It was originally covered by a cairn.



In 1861, the quoit was nearly broken up to assist in the building of a cow shed but a local vicar (a member of the Borlase family) intervened and provided financial inducement for the farmer not to use the stones. The stone posts for the proposed shed can still be seen in front of the quoit.

Note: Fundraising walk for the Sustainable Trust, 17th May 2009, see latest comment
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Bladup : Zennor Quoit. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Bladup : Zennor Quoit at sunset. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by BazCross : Zennor Quoit, March 2012. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by BazCross : Zennor Quoit from above. March 2012. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by cazzyjane : Zennor Quoit with a glimpse of the sea, September 2011

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Morrigan23 : Close-up of entrance and collapsed capstone

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by cazzyjane : Zennor Quoit, oil on canvas. (4 comments)

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Bladup : Zennor Quoit [Reconstructed], but before the cairn was put around the chamber. This Original Artwork in a glass frame is £39.99 + Postage (Just whatever it costs), and is 20 cm x 12 and a half cm. A limited (to a 100) edition print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at [email protected] if interested.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Sunny100 : This Neolithic burial chamber standing on its five (or is it seven) giant up-rights has a gigantic capstone weighing over nine tons. However, it has slipped down - this was caused by a local farmer wanting to use the stones. Some pottery, flints and bones were excavated here.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by postman : A wonderful magical place that ive been to just the once.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by postman : His arms wide open

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by BazCross : Zennor Quoit from above. March 2012.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by BazCross

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by cazzyjane : Zennor Quoit. The paths to reach it are quite overgrown with gorse and can be very muddy at this time of year, but it is well worth making the effort to see it.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by thecaptain : Zennor Quoit looking southwest on a sunny late September afternoon.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by AngieLake : A slightly different angle of the southern view. Just visible here are three small holes bored in a horizontal line near the top of the triangular side wall stone. The farmer had obviously intended breaking this one up too.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by sem : An imposing structure anyway, from the minor road to the west Zennor Quoit is silouhetted perfectly against the skyline.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by Horatio : This is a great imposing chamber, I'd have loved to see it with that massive slab of a capstone in place,

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by LiveAndrew : The quoit with Zennor Hill and the Atlantic in the background

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by stuqpr : From 2011 photo just rediscovered. One of my very favorite sites, an interesting walk from Zennor with great views. Highly recommended.

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by DrNickLeB : Zennor Quoit

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by DrNickLeB

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by DrNickLeB

Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit submitted by postman : Last site of the week

These are just the first 25 photos of Zennor Quoit. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 221m S 172° Zennor tumuli* Barrow Cemetery (SW469378)
 318m NE 38° Sperris Quoit* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SW47093826)
 334m WSW 241° Zennor settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SW46583787)
 392m WNW 286° Lower Carne Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SW4650738144)
 399m SW 214° Foage Iron Age/Romano British Courtyard House 1 Ancient Village or Settlement (SW46643770)
 420m S 175° Foage Cairn* Cairn (SW469376)
 485m W 277° Zennor Hill and Carn Zennor* Rock Outcrop (SW464381)
 498m WNW 282° Zennor Hill propped stone* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SW4639638146)
 565m NE 45° Sperris Croft* Ancient Village or Settlement (SW473384)
 907m NNE 18° Wicca Cists* Cist (SW47203887)
 971m W 279° Venton Zennor* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SW4592538215)
 1.0km ESE 112° Amalveor downs tumuli* Barrow Cemetery (SW478376)
 1.1km SSE 160° Noon Veor cist* Cist (SW472370)
 1.1km SSW 198° Trewey Common* Ancient Village or Settlement (SW465370)
 1.1km WSW 249° Trewey Hill* Cairn (SW45823767)
 1.1km SE 145° Embla Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (SW47483707)
 1.2km NE 54° Trendrine Hill Round Barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SW479387)
 1.2km ESE 109° Amalveor settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SW48023756)
 1.3km WNW 292° Treveglos Menhir* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SW4568238561)
 1.4km SSE 168° Lady Downs* Barrow Cemetery (SW471366)
 1.5km WNW 286° Trevega Cross* Ancient Cross (SW45463850)
 1.5km WNW 287° Zennor Churchyard Crosses* Ancient Cross (SW45463853)
 1.5km WSW 251° Kerrowe Farm Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (SW454376)
 1.7km WNW 294° Giant's Rock, Zennor* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SW45383878)
 1.7km WNW 297° Treveglos, Zennor* Stone Row / Alignment (SW45393887)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Holtorfsloh Grabhuegel

Anta da Melriça >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Contribute!

· NEW: I have visited
· I would like to visit
· Submit an Image
· Add a description
· Give accurate position
· Add a comment or news about this site

Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly, Craig Weatherhill

Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly, Craig Weatherhill

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Zennor Quoit" | Login/Create an Account | 24 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Re: Zennor Quoit by Anonymous on Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Could anybody direct me how to find the crowley ruin please from St ives direction
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit by Anonymous on Tuesday, 14 January 2020
    Actually there is no "Crowley ruin". It is a widely spread story that has no basis in fact. He stayed at another site in Cornwall. The sad cottage near Zennor which is falsely associated with Crowley has last been inhabitated by an artist. You should not go there. It has already been vandalized sadly.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit - Crowley house featured in A-Z guide of Cornwall by AngieLake on Tuesday, 28 January 2020
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Looking at online news for Cornwall this morning and found this interesting item which starts at 'A' with Aleister Crowley's house, and also includes info and photos of Castle An Dinas, Gwennap Pit, Holywell Bay sacred spring, Lanyon Quoit, Roche Rocks, St Nectan's Glen, and 'Excalibur Lake' (Dozmary Pool).
    See:
    https://www.cornwalllive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/z-cornwalls-best-hidden-gems-3748565
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Zennor Quoit - Crowley house featured in A-Z guide of Cornwall by Anonymous on Wednesday, 29 January 2020
      As has been said above: The ruined farm near Zennor pictured in the article is not 'Crowley's house'. It is a legend only. Obviously a very popular one.
      [ Reply to This ]

Zennor Quoit Radiation by lucasn on Wednesday, 27 November 2019
(User Info | Send a Message)
[ Reply to This ]

Zennor Quoit by lucasn on Tuesday, 14 May 2019
(User Info | Send a Message)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by Andy B on Saturday, 31 March 2018
(User Info | Send a Message)
Zennor Quoit info sheet at Cornish Ancient Sites
http://www.cornishancientsites.com/Zennor%20Quoit.pdf

Details of this and other quoits from Penzance (not) Now (archive link)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit - what did it look like originally? by coin on Wednesday, 28 April 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
when i went to this quoit,I couldn't find it!when is the best time to go?
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit - what did it look like originally? by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 28 April 2010
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    trouble getting to this quoit is quite a common thing, despite it being so big and obvious !
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit - what did it look like originally? by rogerkread on Sunday, 18 July 2010
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    The easiest way to find Zennor Quoit is to go via Higher Kerrowe and the Bishops-Head-and-Foot. An easy track to follow with occasional signposts on the way, and the quoit in view for a long time before you meet it. There's a good place to park near the road junction to Kerrowe from the Treen to New Mills road. Then you can also go up the hill behind to Mulfra Quoit on the same trip. Last there in June 2008 - the gorse was becoming problematic so unless things have changed don't wear shorts!
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit - what did it look like originally? by Anonymous on Wednesday, 13 May 2009
A group of us visited Zennor Quoit several years ago whilst on a "Sacred Journeys to Sacred Sites" weekend based at Cape Cornwall.Certainly it isvery impressive. When visiting another site with a fogou like structure,we were asked to try to communicate with the stones. I had an extraordinary experience of going into a vortex and at the bottom of it was my "Guardian Angel" ,for want of a better phrase, Taliesin the Welsh Shaman and Bard. He has appeared to me previously when attending a concert of violin and piano music in St Mary's , Isles of Scilly. I lived for a total of some 36 years both on the Islands and in West Cornwall. The whole area is magical and mystical experiences are entirely possible if one is open to them. This whole Zennor Quoit site is superb.
Spiritseeker
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit - what did it look like originally? by AngieLake on Tuesday, 12 May 2009
(User Info | Send a Message)
The Captain's not alone in wondering what Zennor Quoit looked like before the farmer and the elements nearly destroyed it.

Check out this wonderful website with a drawing from the mid-1700s:

http://cornovia.org.uk/hiac/hiac01.html (archive link - sadly no pics - frustrating! - AB)
[ Reply to This ]

Fundraising walk for the Sustainable Trust, 17th May 2009 by Andy B on Tuesday, 12 May 2009
(User Info | Send a Message)
FUNDRAISING WALK FOR THE GIANTS QUOIT 17th MAY

Neolithic Quoits:Symbols of Power in the Ancient Landscape.

Join National Trust Archaeologist Paul Bonnington for a
guided walk to Zennor and Sperris Quoits in West Penwith,
taking in the historic and archaeologically rich farm at Foage
on the way.

The walk will cover all aspects of their construction, use and
the symbolic roles they played in the lives and ritual
practices of Cornwall's earliest farming communities.
Starting at 2pm and continuing until around 4.30pm.
Cost: £4 adults/£2 children.

The Sustainable Trust have purchased the ruined Quoit at Carwynnen on the Old Pendarves Estate, near Camborne, and are now embarking on Phase Two,
the Re-erection.

Funds will be needed to match Heritage Lottery Fund contribution.

Park at Foage Farm near Zennor (TR26 3BU - SW 465 375) - please note that car sharing/use of public transport is recommended as parking is limited (Zennor bus stop is one mile away from the farm).
For details please call : 01209 831718, 07789600941

The Sustainable Trust
http://www.sustrust.co.uk
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by TheCaptain on Monday, 13 October 2008
(User Info | Send a Message)
I don’t quite know how I have never been to visit this before, so recently spending a few days in Penwith, I decided to have a go for both Zennor and Sperris Quoits, after a lovely pint of Zennor Mermaid at the Tinners Arms. They take a bit of finding, despite the fact Zennor Quoit can be seen from a long way away on the hilltop, the problem is finding a path through the chest high gorse and brambles which takes you to it.

I parked in a little lay-by near to the Eagles Nest house, and then took the easy footpath up onto the moors from there. After a while the path was fairly enclosed within tall bracken and gorse, and near the top of the hill, became fairly difficult to proceed along. Once at the top of the hill, I turned left at the remains of a mine building, and took a “path” towards the natural granite outcropping, from the southern end of which the single standing stone of Sperris Quoit could be seen. However, getting to the stones from here was a bit of a bugger, with chest high gorse, brambles and bracken.

I eventually managed to get to Zennor Quoit from Sperris Quoit via several long zig zag pathways, probably walking three times the distance to it as would be how the chough flies ! Wow, this is a big old thing, far bigger than I was expecting. Makes me wonder what it was all like originally, before part of it was destroyed, the capstone fell and the other alterations. This is a lovely spot up here, lots of blue scabious? flowering all around, birds singing and insects buzzing.

Leaving the quoit to get back to the car, I tried to take a more direct route down, but got "lost” in all the head high gorse and bracken, and took the wrong path which ended up at The Carn cottages, and once again I had to retrace my steps almost to the top of the hill and the old mine buildings. This should have been a simple visit, but it ended up taking all afternoon, and I walked miles ! Its like a maze up there, you can see where you want to go, but cannot get there.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by AngieLake on Saturday, 23 September 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
I visited this amazing structure (would grace the modern art section of Tate any day) and followed Ian Mc Neil Cooke's directions from his book "From Mermaid to Merrymaid, Journey to the Stones". I'd stopped earlier on the coast road, following the advice of Ocifant (above), but couldn't locate the Eagles Nest. It wasn't marked on my OS map. So I gave in and followed Mr Cooke's instructions. Parked in Zennor village (£1 donation) and walked up the footpath towards Foage Farm. Very easy lane, very quiet, beside babbling brook with steep rugged hills either side. Looked out for the metal sign low down on the left after passing the entrance to a property, and with the roof of Foage Farm in sight. Up in the left-side hedge by the sign to Zennor Quoit, on that bend in the lane, is the stone stile for the footpath. I followed it up over the hill, zig-zagging to the top. I did notice to my right, at this point, someone standing on a flat-sided structure, which I thought might be Sperris Quoit, as I expected Zennor Quoit to be closer. (It wasn't - this was my target!) I missed the naturally holed stone that Mr Cooke mentioned, but following his drawing in the book, I walked seawards across the first amazing rugged pile of granite outcrops (don't miss these!), and exited through a metal gate at the coast end. Then, doubling back along the side of the tor I followed a path in the bracken. First time, I took a left fork, which led me away from the Quoit, downhill towards the road (and Eagles Nest, no doubt!) I retraced my steps to a fork in the pathways, and took the more overgrown one that led inland alongside the creepy, partly derelict building tucked under the tor. (I'd been partly spooked about it, having taken my print-out from Meg P to locate the Quoit - see the section on Aleister Crowley!) Eventually this led me straight to Zennor Quoit, but in September it is very overgrown and I still have the scars from gorse pricking me through my quite substantial jeans... so if you visit, wear something that covers your legs and feet! Also, adders may be lurking in the undergrowth. It was well worth the effort. Hope my pics will do it justice!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by sem on Saturday, 04 June 2005
(User Info | Send a Message)
EeveyB.
I went there for the first time last Thurs. If you walk up from Zennor to the carn it stands out quite plainly to the NE. It confused me at first because it looks like a "playing card pyramid" and too regular for a dolmen. The capstone appears to have slipped and now slopes at 45deg.
If you follow the road south from Zennor and take the first left, when you reach the high ground and look NE the chamber stands out on the horizon. It sems obvious to me that this was intended by the builders.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by EeveyB on Sunday, 01 May 2005
(User Info | Send a Message)
Well thanks for this , I too failed to find Zennor Quoit and felt truely dispondant... but I'll be back !!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Zennor Quoit by Anonymous on Friday, 15 April 2005
I lived with my husband &small son at 'Noon Veor'cottage up on Lady Downs about 1949 having moved from Boswarthen temporarily. It was in site of theQuoit also the cottage right beneath it where some artist friends lived. Very beautiful but very haunted too, Cairn cottage rather tha n Noon Veor.I actually had my 2nd child in the cottage prematurely.Next day 6 ambulance men carried me on a stretcher across the moors.Last time I visited in 1979 there was still a stone in the garden of Cairn Cottage. Aleister Crowley had lived there so its not surprising strange things occured there, you got used to them. Mrs Forster who lived at Eagles Nest on the main road was said to be responsible for running him out of Cornwall. He got his revenge tho' Zennor was the last place where witchcraft ws practised so they say TYR
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit by Thorgrim on Saturday, 16 April 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Great story -thanks for that insight.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit by Anonymous on Friday, 15 July 2005
    What you said was interesting because I have been looking into this. Carn Cottage was occupied by the St Ives painter, Bryan Winter, who would refer to Mrs Arnold Forster (nee Ka Cox) dying at the Eagle's Nest while trying to soothe the young couple who lived there previously who claimed the place was haunted. Some say this couple were involved with Crowley who had psychically tainted the place. The story is tangled and tortuous and I was fascinated to hear that you had picked up a crumb of it.

    Best wishes, Paul (N)
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Zennor Quoit by Anonymous on Tuesday, 09 February 2010
    I Wonder if the Poster of this message or anyone else could verify the identity of the "ruin" granite enclosure with a remaining eroded gable hearth (granite) which backs onto, actually abutting the Nazional Thrust's wire boundary around Zennor Logan Rocks. It is within spitting distance of the referred former home of Bryan Wynter and I wonder could this ruin be Noon Veor Cottage or Cairn Cottage? It is not easy to tell from this description.
    The ruin I am trying to identify is illustrated

    This is a link

    but not photographically correct
    [ Reply to This ]

Zennor Quoit by ocifant on Tuesday, 27 January 2004
(User Info | Send a Message)
My first attempt at finding this ended in failure. I asked at the Tinner's Arms, and was told to walk up the track toward Foage Farm, and turn off onto the signposted path. I got hopelessy lost on Zennor Hill, and failed to find the quoit.

On my second visit a few months later, I started from the 'Eagle's Nest' (halfway between Zennor and Wicca) and headed straight across the hill. This was a much gentler slope than my previous attempt, and I managed to find both Sperris Quoit and Zennor Quoit with no problems whatsoever.

In 1861, the quoit was nearly broken up to assist in the building of a cow shed but a local vicar (a member of the Borlase family) intervened and provided financial inducement for the farmer not to use the stones. The stone posts for the proposed shed can still be seen in front of the quoit.

Look closely at the stones of the quoit, there are some wonderful quartz veins in the granite.
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.