Castle an Dinas

Lat 50.4254° N, lon 4.8945° W●Things to do in St Columb Major

Castle an Dinas

Castle Downs, St Columb Major, TR9 6JB

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Things to do · St Columb Major

About Castle an Dinas

Castle an Dinas is a large Iron Age hillfort crowning Castle Downs, about two miles east of St Columb Major, at around 216 metres above sea level. Dating from roughly the 3rd to 2nd century BC, it is ringed by three concentric banks and ditches which you can still walk around today, with wide views across mid Cornwall. The hill also has an industrial past: from 1916 to 1957 it was home to Cornwall's largest wolfram mine. It was excavated in the early 1960s by a team from the University of Pennsylvania. The site is cared for by the Cornwall Heritage Trust and is free to visit. Follow the brown signs to the car park, which has unmarked bays; there are no toilets, café or staff on site, and it is not reachable by public transport. It is a good place for a breezy walk and for spotting wildlife, and dogs are welcome. Paths cross grass and earthworks, so wear suitable shoes in wet weather, and allow an hour to walk the ramparts.

Good to know

  • Iron Age hillfort with three rings of ramparts
  • Car park signed with brown signs, no toilets or café
  • Site of Cornwall's largest wolfram mine from 1916 to 1957
  • Free to visit, cared for by the Cornwall Heritage Trust
  • Dogs welcome

Address: Castle Downs, St Columb Major, TR9 6JB.

Official site: Castle an Dinas website, for opening times and tickets.

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