Cornwall Heritage Trust: Preserving sites for future generations

The work of Cornwall Heritage Trust

It’s no secret that Cornwall is steeped in heritage, spanning all eras from the Neolithic to the 19th century Industrial Age. At the forefront of caring for this precious legacy is Cornwall Heritage Trust, which has 13 sites under its watchful eye, spanning the breadth of the Duchy. All are free to visit, making them the perfect destination for a winter walk.

Between Land’s End and Penzance, you’ll find Sancreed Beacon, an area of granite upland inhabited during the Bronze Age, now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of West Penwith International Dark Sky Park. In September, conservation and restoration work turned up archaeological finds in an area used as a 19th-century midden or refuse site. These included an Elliman’s Embrocation bottle, which would have originally housed a medicine made of eggs, turpentine and vinegar, said to help with aching muscles and joints. engineering structure of its kind to be built in Cornwall and is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, as designated by UNESCO. Built between 1839 and 1842 by Joseph Thomas Treffry, the viaduct had the dual purpose of carrying both a tramway and a high-level leat across the Luxulyan Valley for the mining industry.

A recent appeal saw 15 people (including Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce) join as life members, raising £6,500 to conserve the adjacent 19th century Crib Hut which provided welcome shelter for viaduct workers during their breaks.

Further sites, all free to visit, range from Carn Euny, a well-preserved Iron Age village in West Penwith to St Breock Downs Monolith, the heaviest standing stone in Cornwall; and from The Hurlers, a line of three early Bronze Age stone circles on Bodmin Moor, to the little-known Trevanion Culverhouse, a 14th-century dovecote near Wadebridge. Having taken on the ancient hill fort of Caer Bran in February 2022, the trust made its 13th acquisition in November: the 15th century St Cleer’s Well.

What makes it all so special for the trust’s CEO, Cathy Woolcock, is that heritage is far from dead, with current generations the latest in a long line of custodians who will one day join their predecessors. “Here in Cornwall, it’s part of everyday life to be in touch with the past, seeing the history and walking among it” she says. “The well house, for example, is situated in the middle of the village of St Cleer and we want this historic place to continue to be at the heart of the community for many generations to come."

The trust currently has around 7,000 members, including individuals and families. Why join when you can visit the sites for free? Well, membership will also give you free access to English Heritage’s Cornwall properties - including Tintagel, Restormel, St Mawes, Pendennis and

Castle an Dinas, one of the largest and most impressive hillforts in Cornwall

Dupath Well, the largest and most impressive Well House in Cornwall Caer Bran, an important multi-age hillfort site near Sancreed

Treffry Viaduct, a 19th-century viaduct hidden in the beautiful Luxulyan Valley Trethevy Quoit, a burial chamber from the late Neolithic period near Liskeard

Sancreed - Cornwall Heritage Trust's archaeological team was on hand to process and record the finds

Launceston castles, and Chysauster Ancient Village - and Geevor Tin Mine, and half-price entry to Wheal Martyn, King Edward Mine (adults only) and the Arthurian Centre.

But you'll also be supporting the trust financially, enabling it to care for its sites and, crucially, to foster a love of heritage among younger generations. Since 2014, the School Transport Grants Scheme has funded 540 trips for nearly 22,500 Cornish primary schoolchildren. With the costs of petrol and vehicle hire rising and school budgets tightening, support like this is vital to enable the next generation to experience Cornwall’s ancient sites, museums and historic properties.

“Sadly, enrichment activities like trips are all too often the first things to be cut when times are hard,” says Cathy Woolcock. “When we asked schools what the biggest barrier was to visiting heritage sites, the vast majority told us it was the cost of transport. We get amazing feedback from schools who apply to us for grants, so we know how much children benefit from visiting these special Cornish places and learning about their heritage.”

So much work is carried out by volunteers, including leading guided walks, helping at events, site conservation, research and recording finds. In November, many public-spirited individuals and groups were rewarded at a special event at Scorrier House.

The Heritage Champion Award was given to myCornwall contributor Elizabeth Dale, who also blogs as The Cornish Bird - you might even have seen her on television with the likes of Fern Britton. “What she has achieved is incredibly impressive,” says Cathy. “She has 7,500 Twitter followers and to be shining a light on Cornwall’s hidden places and untold stories for so many people is outstanding. She is an extremely worthy winner." St Columb Old Cornwall Society received a group award for its active support, including hosting a Platinum Jubilee beacon at Castle-an-Dinas; while Trevor Smitheram, from Hayle, was given a special lockdown award in recognition of his social media presence during the pandemic, sharing historical anecdotes and dialect by video to keep spirits high.

“Ultimately, it’s not just about places – it's about people, stories and communities,” says Cathy. “They all make up Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage, and to be the custodians of that is such a special thing.” l

For a full list of sites, and for details of how to become a member (from £15pa), visit www.cornwallheritagetrust.org

iWalk Cornwall have compiled a list of their circular walks that include Cornwall Heritage Trust sites. www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/walks/org/cht