Chûn Quoit, Penwith, United Kingdom

Chûn Quoit is one of the best preserved of all Neolithic quoits (also called dolmens or cromlechs) in western Cornwall. Like the other quoits, it was probably covered by a round barrow, of which much evidence abounds. It was a closed chamber and its mushroom-domed capstone measures 3.3 m by 3m. There is a cup mark on top of the capstone. It is supported about 2 m from the ground by four substantial slabs. There is evidence of an entrance passage to the south-east within the mound area. The site was examined in 1871 but no significant finds were made.

In the vicinity of Chûn Quoit there are many other megalithic and archaeological sites, such as Lanyon Quoit, Mulfra Quoit, Mên-an-Tol and Mên Scryfa. The rocky outline of Carn Kenidjack marks the position of midwinter sunset away to the south-west.

This is the only dolmen in West Penwith to retain its capstone 'in situ' – others have been re-settled. It is believed to have been built around 2400 BC, two millennia before the neighbouring Chûn Castle.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

John Heckelmann (2 years ago)
Magnificent Dolmen with beautiful view Someone lost their key here.

Gyp Mckarthy (2 years ago)
Lush dolmen, one of the best, and good wild camping at Carne, just down the hill in Morvah Andsum ??️☮️

Geoff Harry (2 years ago)
A great walk from the little car park up through the gorse and heather. The quoit is small but well preserved with great views and huge sky. Lots of choices of tracks to make your own circular route. No information board means you'll need to do your own research but also means it feels genuine and not just another tourist site.

Chun (5 years ago)
An iconic Cornish monument set in beautiful moorland. Remains of the mound that once covered it can still be seen.

Julie Stevens (7 years ago)
Nice walk to the quoit, went during winter, it was a little wet but not too bad. Lovely place for a picnic. Not the largest quoit I've seen but still great to see.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright discopalace

Historic Site of the week

Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Chûn Quoit

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Sigmaringen Castle