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Moderated by : Andy B , TimPrevett , Klingon , sem , MickM , TheCaptain , bat400 , coldrum , davidmorgan , Runemage , SolarMegalith
The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
General Forum >> UK in September - Cornwall Sites
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UK in September - Cornwall Sites |
DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
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|  Posted 11-05-2005 at 04:54
Greetings to All!
I live in California and am new to this site. I am enjoying it tremendously! In Sept 2005, I will be traveling through the UK with a friend (my first trip was 18 yrs ago). I am particularily interested in respectful visits to ancient sites in Cornwall - stone circles, megaliths, sacred wells, places of power, etc. I'd be appreciative of the best way to accomplish this as we will be traveling via train. Any suggestions on what town to use as a base, where we could rent a car for a day or two so that we can get around easily? (I am particularily interested in visiting Merry Maidens, The Hurlers, Men an Tol, etc.)
Also, are there any tours or guides available for this sort of thing? I'm not having much luck finding anything along these lines on the Net.
About the only part of Cornwall I saw last trip was Padstow - I was there with 3 others for the 'Obby 'Oss craziness at Beltane. That was indeed lively!!!
Any other suggestions please feel free to contact me.
Blessings,
Dea
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TimPrevett
Joined:
02-10-2012
Messages: 1193
from Cheshire / Manchester
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|  Posted 11-05-2005 at 06:26
Hi there - just a quick reply before I get off to work
By train use this website: http://www.rail.co.uk/
Go to Penzance, and get an Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map of West Cornwall (orange cover - Explorer Map 102 for Land's End) - that covers all the sites you mentioned.
For car hire etc, from personal experience I recommend looking at http://www.yell.com and seeing what's listed in the Penzance area there.
Could write more - but need to go!
May be able to add more later,
cheers,
Tim
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JimChampion
Joined:
30-12-2004
Messages: 398
from Southampton
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| Posted 11-05-2005 at 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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ocifant
Joined:
13-10-2002
Messages: 186
from London
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| Posted 13-05-2005 at 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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ocifant
Joined:
13-10-2002
Messages: 186
from London
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| Posted 13-05-2005 at 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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Anonymous
User not Registered |  Posted 13-05-2005 at 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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JimChampion
Joined:
30-12-2004
Messages: 398
from Southampton
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| Posted 13-05-2005 at 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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sem
Joined:
12-11-2003
Messages: 1704
from Bridgend,S.Wales
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| Posted 13-05-2005 at 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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DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
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|  Posted 17-05-2005 at 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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DeaT
Joined:
26-04-2005
Messages: 4
from California, USA
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| Posted 28-08-2005 at 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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Wiggy
Joined:
29-08-2005
Messages: 30
from Bristol
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| Posted 29-08-2005 at 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
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| Posted 02-09-2005 at 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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