Carn Brea Castle Cornwall
by Richard Brookes
Title
Carn Brea Castle Cornwall
Artist
Richard Brookes
Medium
Photograph
Description
Unusual Carn Brea Castle sits atop the granite hill outcrop of Carn Brea.
According to various online sources:
The hill's summit is at 650ft (198m) above sea level and is prominent above the surrounding landscape near Redruth, Cornwall, SW England, UK.
Originally built as a chapel in 1379 the summit building has been extensively rebuilt since, most notably as a hunting lodge resembling a castle in the C18th by the Bassets, a wealthy mining family. It is well known for the huge uncut granite tor boulders that make up part of its foundation.
Apparently a tunnel running from under the castle to nearby St Uny church was blocked in 1970 for safety reasons. Historically it is noted that the building served as a beacon for shipping with tenants required to show a light in a north facing window. It was a restaurant at the time of this image.
The hilltop site has been occupied for millennia. Archaeological excavations have found a Neolithic tor enclosure occupied between 3700 and 3400 BC and Neolithic building platforms. Numerous arrowheads and burnt timbers suggest the site may have been invaded and destroyed at some point.
According to internet sources, the stolen Ford Anglia featured in the Harry Potter films was found at the castle in 2006.
Uploaded
July 23rd, 2022
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