Carn Brea - Landmarks

Landmarks

Carn Brea Castle

The medieval Carn Brea Castle stands near the top of the hill. This was originally built as a chapel, in 1379, probably dedicated to St Michael, before being rebuilt in the 18th century by the Basset family as a hunting lodge. It is considered a Folly castle, due to the huge uncut boulders that make up part of its foundations, giving the impression of the building melting into the land. In the 1980s the abandoned building was converted into a Middle Eastern cuisine restaurant. The stolen Ford Anglia featured in the Harry Potter films was found at the Castle in 2006. 50°13′20.85″N 5°14′41.40″W / 50.2224583°N 5.244833°W / 50.2224583; -5.244833 (Carn Brea Castle)

An East India trading ship was named after Carn Brea Castle, wrecked off the Isle of Wight in 1829 and involved in excise tax fraud.

Basset Monument

At the highest point of the hill there is a 90 foot high (27m) Celtic cross. This is a monument to Francis Basset, 1st Baron de Dunstanville and Basset (1757-1835). Basset, a mine owner, gained his titles for erecting earthworks to defend Plymouth from combined French and Spanish fleets in 1779, and suppressing a miners' "food riot" in 1785. Along with others, he petitioned the House of Lords against slavery in 1828. The monument was erected by public subscription in 1836. It is inscribed 'The County of Cornwall to the memory of Francis Lord de Dunstanville and Basset A.D. 1836.' 50°13′16″N 5°14′56″W / 50.22111°N 5.24889°W / 50.22111; -5.24889 (Basset Cross)

Cup and Saucer Rock

This large flat rock is perched next to the Monument showing several deep basins (see Photograph). This rock has also been called The Sacrificing Rock (though with doubtful historical accuracy). 50°13′16″N 5°14′54″W / 50.22111°N 5.24833°W / 50.22111; -5.24833 (Sacrificing Rock)

Smugglers' Cave

In a depression between the Monument and the Castle are the remains of the Smugglers' Cave, blocked by the Council in the 1980s with rocks to stop children entering. This tunnel is rumoured to extend from the top of the Carn down into Redruth town, but it is probably an abandoned mine workings. It may have been confused with another tunnel from the castle down to St Uny’s church which was blocked off for safety reasons around 1970 by the castle owners. 50°13′19″N 5°14′50″W / 50.22194°N 5.24722°W / 50.22194; -5.24722 (Smugglers' Cave)

Saint Euny's Well

This well can be found at the foot of Carn Brea below the Castle and near St Euny's Church. It has a plaque by Carn Brea Parish Trails reading "St Euny Well. Holy well of St Euny visited by the Celtic Missionary 500AD". Stories about the sacred use of this well may be confused with St Euny's Well at Sancreed (see Carn Euny).