Carn Brea
Carn Brea is a
granite outcrop 738 ft above sea level which overlooks the towns
of Redruth, Pool and Camborne. The name is derived from the
Cornish language and means ‘heap of stones on a hill’.
On the summit is a 90ft granite obelisk which was erected in 1836
in honour of Francis Bassett (Lord de Dunstaville) who was an
important local land and mine owner. There is also what is
referred to as Carn Brea Castle. This dates to around the 15th
century but is not really a castle. It may have been a chapel
originally but after some adaptations it became a hunting lodge
for the Bassett family. It is now a restaurant.
Remains of a
massive neolithic settlement are to be found on the Carn. It
covers some 46 acres and the ramparts were probably built some
5,000 years ago. The remains of iron age hut circles can be found
on the summit.
Photo – Carn
Brea Castle -note how one corner is built on to massive
granite boulders. Beyond is the town of Redruth
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