Chûn Castle

Chûn Castle is an Iron Age hillfort near Morvah in Cornwall. It stands on a downs above the Celtic Sea, beside an old trackway once used by tin miners. The fort was built about 2,500 years ago and later reoccupied to guard nearby tin mines. Its name comes from Cornish words meaning ‘the house on the downs’. Nearby is Chûn Quoit, a much older stone tomb. The fort once had strong inner and outer walls with deep ditches. Edward Lluyd drew it around 1700 and praised its military design. Stone was taken from the walls in the 19th century to build houses in Penzance. Excavations in the early 20th century found pottery from the 4th century BC. The fort may have protected tin and copper from local mines. Visitors see the low remains of the walls and a well still holding water. The site overlooks miles of sea to the north and the only land route into West Penwith to the south. Locals once used the well water until the 1940s. Neopagans still visit on special days. The view across the downs and sea makes the walk worthwhile.