Submitted by Area representative Sally Ealey
Dry Tree Standing Stone, one of the few we have on the Lizard is situated at the junction of five parishes on Goonhilly Downs encircled by barrows and overlooked by the satellite dishes. Carved from gabbroic rock it was transported almost three miles from the source to its present position. At some point before WW1 the stone collapsed and a large section removed for road works. In the 1920’s the men of St Keverne led by Sir Courtney Vyvyan of Trelowarren re-erected it, having been able to ascertain the original position where it remains today.
Directions: take the B3294 from Helston towards St Keverne, when you see the Goonhilly Earth Station slow down to take the next right for the Natural England car park. From here it is a short walk to the stone and barrows, head for the perimeter fence, follow this to the left away from the road. On a clear day you can see the Cornish Alps and in summer hear the skylarks singing. There is an interesting display of WW11 activities on the downs – details on the car park notice board, and this area is known for many interesting plant species.
