Archaeo-astronomy Guided Walk – Devils and Saints in West Penwith led by Carolyn Kennett

A walk from St Just Church to Carn Kenidjack and back on February 3rd 2024, meet 11.00 am, finish around 17.00 pm.

Leaving the hustle of St Just we head out through the enchanting Tregeseal Valley. This remarkable valley is scarred by the remains of the mining industry carved into a landscape, one which was equally important to people from prehistory. We have permission to visit the privately owned entrance grave and discuss the archaeological discoveries made here, before heading onto Kenidjack common beneath Carn Kenidjack reputed in folklore to be a favourite site of the devil.

This area is rich in archaeological remains including the Tregeseal stone circle where we will chat about astronomy work of the past and the photography of Lady Lockyer. We head past the barrows and visit the holed stones. These have recently undergone an archaeological investigation when the stones were stabilised, the results of this excavation will be shared. Heading up the hill we will chat about other features in the landscape, along with the myths and legends that abound in this area. We will continue past the abandoned farmstead to Boslow inscribed stone, and maybe further if time allows…

Holed stone on Kenidjack Common (Carolyn Kennett)

The intention is to get back to the circle for sunset, in time to see the Imbolc cross quarter sun disappear over the sea and the Isles of Scilly. We head back to St Just in the fading light of the day, ready for a welcome break and the warmth of a fire, perhaps in one of St Just’s several public houses.

Meet outside St Just Church, St Just in Penwith
Latitude and Longitude to copy and paste into googlemaps: 50.124483, -5.679317
What 3 Words ///pots.cackling.claps

Please bring a packed lunch, clothes for all eventualities of weather, shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Dogs on leads please.