Carwynnen Quoit is one of Cornwall’s lesser known Neolithic monuments belonging to a class of portal dolmens, the largest concentration of which lie high on the moors of West Penwith, where Lanyon Quoit, Mulfra Quoit and Chun Quoit are some of the best-known examples. For the past 40 or so years the massive stones which make up the monument have lain in a collapsed heap in a field which, up until recent times, was intensively farmed. The iconic shape of the dolmen has been used on the Camborne Rugby Club and Troon Cricket Club badges.
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Treslothan Church, built for the Pendarves Estate.
The Cromlech lies on the Pendarves Estate on the edge of Camborne. The surrounding woodlands and plantations are part of the estate’s wider landscape and, as engravings and early photos show, the Quoit would at one time have been visible from Pendarves house. It was aquired by the Sustainable Trust with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund in Spring 2009. Christopher Stevens of Follett Stock dealt with the conveyancing. We are grateful to them for their corporate responsibility policy which provided this service pro bono.
Recording species at a Botanical Walk, Autumn 2012
The wildlife corridor between the existing woods on either side of the field has been improved by planting Oak trees along the inside of the hedge. A 'storytelling circle' has been built built, for educational visits, to seat approximately 20 people. A wet weather cover is available for this, for organised visits. 50 Small leaved lime trees (tilia cordata) have been planted in a crescent shape around the seating circle. The bark from this tree was used for rope making in ancient times. The 'Frying Pan Field' is open to pedestrians at all times, and the larger gates may be unlocked for vehicle access if required.
Hardworking volunteers pause during work on the test pits
Several attempts have been made to restore the Quoit since its fall in 1966. In 2009 The Sustainable Trust were able to negotiate for the land and raise funds through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Several smaller Trusts helped by contributing to the match funding:- The Cornwall Heritage Trust, Cornwall Archaeological Society, The Cornwall Community Fund.
Professor Charles Thomas with Jacky Nowakowski and Pip Richards
Cornwall Heritage Trust aims to protect Cornwall's unique and precious historic sites. It also runs an education programme and provides grants to individuals and other organisations.
The Cornwall Archaeological Society, with its roots extending back to the West Cornwall Field Club (founded in 1935), is the leading organisation for Cornwall's archaeologists, both amateur and professional.
