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Forum: General Forum
Moderated by : Andy B , TimPrevett , Klingon , sem , MickM , TheCaptain , bat400 , coldrum , davidmorgan , Runemage , SolarMegalith
Respond to: UK in September - Cornwall Sites
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DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
 OFF-Line
|  New Message Posted!2005-09-02 02:43
Thanks for the book suggestion, I will look for Cope's book when I get there.
Must dash off! I leave tomorrow AM and still have things to pack...
Blessings,
Dea
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Wiggy
Joined:
29-08-2005
Messages: 30
from Bristol
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-08-29 21:51
Just to repeat what Jim said really, Julian Cope's "Modern Antiquarian" is a great investment if you don't already have it. There are more more scholarly tomes out there, but this is a good read, packed with useful info/directions to hundreds of sites, and really easy to use. Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know. Have a good trip. 
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DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-08-28 00:40
Hello Again, All-
I haven't had much time to post anything more to this site this summer - life has been incredibly busy.
My traveling companion and I leave Sept 2 for our trip, and I've copied out all the advice given here on the sites in Cornwall. I just wanted to thank you all again.
We have a friend in Devonshire who seems willing to take us on on the moors to some of the sites if his schedule allows. If not, then we plan to rent a car in Penzance and head out on our own.
Many thanks again for everyone's suggestions.
Cheers,
Dea
Quote:
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On 2005-05-17 05:57, DeaT wrote:
Hi All,
Well, what a fabulous group here - I've been away from the computer for a few days only to find some great suggestions upon my return. I will chat back at length soon, it's been busy at home and at work and unfortunately right now I don't have a lot of free time. So until then, cheers and thanks to all for your replies.
Dea
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DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
OFF-Line
|  New Message Posted!2005-05-17 05:57
Hi All,
Well, what a fabulous group here - I've been away from the computer for a few days only to find some great suggestions upon my return. I will chat back at length soon, it's been busy at home and at work and unfortunately right now I don't have a lot of free time. So until then, cheers and thanks to all for your replies.
Dea
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sem
Joined:
12-11-2003
Messages: 1704
from Bridgend,S.Wales
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-05-13 23:52
Hi
Penzance is definately a good starting point if you are hiring a car. Two books to look out for, I bought both in Penzance, are Cornovia (C.Weatherhill by Cornwall Books) and Journey to the Stones (Cooke by Men An Tol Studio).
The latter is excellant for the Penzance area if a touch too "New Age" for my liking.
I hope you enjoy your stay.
Sem
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JimChampion
Joined:
30-12-2004
Messages: 398
from Southampton
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-05-13 18:57
At the risk of starting a debate on whats "best" to see around Penwith, here are the places we visited over a few days last summer using Penzance as a base:
Carn Euny Iron age village and fogou
Boscawen-un Stone circle
Treryn Dinas Cliff fort
Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Carn Glooze Round cairn
Tregeseal Dancing Stones Stone circle
Chun castle and quoit
Chysauster Iron age village and fogou
Men an tol Holed stone
Boskednan Stone circle
plus the various quoits in the area (Trevethy, Lanyon, Mulfra, Zennor). This choice of sites worth-seeing-first was heavily influenced by the West Penwith sites in Julian Cope's "The Modern Antiquarian" book. Don't try to see everything at once, take it easy.
[ This message was edited by: JimChampion on 2005-05-13 18:58 ]
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Anonymous
User not Registered |  New Message Posted!2005-05-13 18:18
Hi Dea
I am a tour guide operating in Cornwall with an interest in "megalithic" sites etc. Like the other posts here I would reccomend Penzance as the best point if you do not have transport. However i have to say Bodmin Moor should not be missed! but you will need a car to get to many of the sites as public transport is very poor.
If you require a guide while you are down I may be able to help, especially with Bodmin Moor, an area I have now published three books on.
You can contact me through my website at
http://www.walkaboutwest.co.uk
Mr Hamhead
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ocifant
Joined:
13-10-2002
Messages: 186
from London
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-05-13 17:54
Oh, and as for tours, Megalithic Tours are doing a 6 day tour of historic Cornwall in September - see their web site for details. http://www.megalithictours.com/tourDiary.htm
For a fun, cheap single day excursion, starting from Penzance, you could book with Harry Safari http://www.harrysafari.com - not a great deal of megalithic content, but he's an entertaining 'born and bred' guide who knows the area well, and seems to know everyone he meets too!
Keep an eye on the banner ads on the Portal for other possibilities for tours.
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ocifant
Joined:
13-10-2002
Messages: 186
from London
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-05-13 17:47
I'd agree with all the above.
Also try to pick up some publications from the Men-an-Tol studio before you get there. Specifically, the 'Antiquities of West Cornwall' series - all available from the shop on this very site if I'm not mistaken. Click 'Online Shop' over on the left menu to get there.
I'm off there the week after next for a drive around. Bear in mind what Jim said above - some of the lanes are *extremely* narrow, with an *extremely* restricted view - in some cases only 10-20 feet ahead! Also, Bodmin Moor is a good hour's drive from the Penwith (Penzance) area. My money's always on Penwith though for sheer density of sites. A week isn't enough!!
Oh, and get that map, and get planning your routes and targets NOW!
Ask any questions here, we're a friendly bunch.
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JimChampion
Joined:
30-12-2004
Messages: 398
from Southampton
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2005-05-11 23:43
There is plenty to see if you use Penzance as your base (my parents live there, so I've been quite a few times). There are buses that run throughout the countryside in that area, but they are infreqent and you're much better off hiring a car. Bear in mind that at times you will be driving down extremely narrow roads (a car's width) with hedges or walls either side, completely unlike anything you've experienced in California.
The school summer holiday finishes at the end of August, so you'll probably avoid the crowds because the kids are back at school. The weather is also pretty good in September: you've picked a good time to go. However, as always in Cornwall, be prepared for rain at any time.
Don't expect any ancient sites to be signposted. A few do have official signs, and others less official signs, but mostly nothing. The Ordnance Survey map mentioned above by Shropshire Traveller is essential: it costs about 7 pounds.
Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
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