Lanyon Quoit
Lanyon Quoit
4.5
About
Believed to be a burial chamber or a mausoleum from prehistoric times, this well-known Cornish quoit collapsed during a storm in 1815, breaking some stones, and was re-erected several years later.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.4
98 reviews
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54
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30
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13
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Tsurupack
Chiba Japan1,339 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
It was the first stop on a walking tour of large stone tools from Penzance via New well. Perhaps because there was no parking, I was able to enjoy the monument at my leisure, empty. Who raised heavy roof stones without heavy equipment?
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Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Wellingborough, UK801 contributions
Sept 2020
Firstly, apologies for the title. I couldn't help myself.
But I'm not joking about the impression this weathered stone structure makes.
I suppose it's merely the product of a fertile and romantic imagination but it seems, to me, to radiate an atmosphere evoking times long past and customs obscured by the intervening ages.
Quite a feat for a simple structure of four balancing stones, not much taller than me.
The setting helps, of course, with the wind-swept landscape of the Land's End Peninsula, the overgrown stone-centred hedgerowss, the heathery moorland backdrop and the remains of an old tin mine on the horizon.
We arrived as the sun set below a blanket of mackerel sky which made for some striking photographs.
Like many of the ancient sites around, the quoit takes some finding. The postal code takes you to a nearby farm, there are no signs, maps are misleading and there is only a tiny layby to park in, next to a stone stile in the hedgerow - easy to miss. To make things worse, the quoit, being not much higher than the hedgerows, is not visible from the road from most angles. We drove past it twice before suddely catching a glimpse.
It's well worth persevering for, though. Other local sites are larger and more complex but none have as commanding a presence.
Obviously, this is free to visit at any time.
But I'm not joking about the impression this weathered stone structure makes.
I suppose it's merely the product of a fertile and romantic imagination but it seems, to me, to radiate an atmosphere evoking times long past and customs obscured by the intervening ages.
Quite a feat for a simple structure of four balancing stones, not much taller than me.
The setting helps, of course, with the wind-swept landscape of the Land's End Peninsula, the overgrown stone-centred hedgerowss, the heathery moorland backdrop and the remains of an old tin mine on the horizon.
We arrived as the sun set below a blanket of mackerel sky which made for some striking photographs.
Like many of the ancient sites around, the quoit takes some finding. The postal code takes you to a nearby farm, there are no signs, maps are misleading and there is only a tiny layby to park in, next to a stone stile in the hedgerow - easy to miss. To make things worse, the quoit, being not much higher than the hedgerows, is not visible from the road from most angles. We drove past it twice before suddely catching a glimpse.
It's well worth persevering for, though. Other local sites are larger and more complex but none have as commanding a presence.
Obviously, this is free to visit at any time.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peterpiperpickedapec
London, UK494 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
A small but interesting sight easily missed. The whole area is littered with Neolithic monuments and well worth a day out. A 6-7 mile walk down to Rosemary and up across the moor will take in most as well as the ding dong mine and some fab views. End the day at the superb tea room at Landon farm the best cake and host in Cornwall.
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul F
Chesterfield, UK5,273 contributions
Jul 2020
WOW! Very much worth while finding this Megalithic monument as its stunning to see and wonder at how all those years ago they built it and for what purpose exactly.
The plaque and signs are very difficult to see but the postcode gets you quite near then its just a case of keeping your eyes open. The layby next to the stones probably could accommodate 2 or 3 cars but I think its rarely busy.
Very short walk indeed to get up close to this magnificent monument set in stunning scenery.
The plaque and signs are very difficult to see but the postcode gets you quite near then its just a case of keeping your eyes open. The layby next to the stones probably could accommodate 2 or 3 cars but I think its rarely busy.
Very short walk indeed to get up close to this magnificent monument set in stunning scenery.
Written 21 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony G
Cornwall, UK318 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Usually we like foreign travel but hey this year's gone pretty pants after March so a few days staycation in Cornwall looking at our local attractions. It's surprising but when you live here you don't really appreciate it
We visited here today and then a couple more.
Well worth the visit. Park in the lay-by and over the stile and presto your there
Tony and Shelley July 2020
We visited here today and then a couple more.
Well worth the visit. Park in the lay-by and over the stile and presto your there
Tony and Shelley July 2020
Written 22 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK921 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Lanyon Quoit was another ancient monument on our list of things to see.
It sits in a field and dates back to the Neolithic period and predates the Egyptian pyramids. It is thought to have been built as an ancient burial chamber around 2500BC and the capstone was supported by large upright stones; it was said that a man could sit on horseback underneath it.
Unfortunately, the dolmen collapsed during a bad storm in 1815 and it lay in the field for years before villagers resurrected it in 1824. Sadly, while resurrecting it, the villagers managed to break one of the main upright stones and had to re-erect the quoit to its current height of about 7 ft. It is not clear how they broke it, because the solid granite capstone is 9 ft. wide by 18 ft. long and weighs about 14 tonnes!
There is a very nice tea room at Lanyon Farmhouse where you can stop for proper Cornish cream teas and the delicious cakes and scones are home-made by Jane, the lady owner.
It sits in a field and dates back to the Neolithic period and predates the Egyptian pyramids. It is thought to have been built as an ancient burial chamber around 2500BC and the capstone was supported by large upright stones; it was said that a man could sit on horseback underneath it.
Unfortunately, the dolmen collapsed during a bad storm in 1815 and it lay in the field for years before villagers resurrected it in 1824. Sadly, while resurrecting it, the villagers managed to break one of the main upright stones and had to re-erect the quoit to its current height of about 7 ft. It is not clear how they broke it, because the solid granite capstone is 9 ft. wide by 18 ft. long and weighs about 14 tonnes!
There is a very nice tea room at Lanyon Farmhouse where you can stop for proper Cornish cream teas and the delicious cakes and scones are home-made by Jane, the lady owner.
Written 17 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KenmareLisa
Orlando, FL2,226 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
What a site! A complete Dolmen in excellent condition, wonderful energy for dowsing! FREE! Easy to locate.
Written 24 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MillicentMayflower
Kelowna, Canada111 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Went there as part of the Western Discoveries Tour, and it was good to have the guide to point out how significant the location was.
Written 19 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James L
Norwich, UK531 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Using a satnav to find it based on the post code will lead you to a small farmhouse, of which as you slowly drive by, you'll notice a small posted sign telling you to continue on to Lanyon Quoit. So don't be lead astray.
The quoit is a bit after the farm house, just after a small lay-by of which you can stop in to walk up the stones. You'll also notice it seems plenty of people have started climbing up a spot of the stone wall and under a barbed-wire fence instead of walking the 20m up the road and using the built for purpose site access... but hey, who are we to judge :-/
I personally feel the site is amazing. Great set of stones out in the absolute middle of nowhere. Amazing to think at one time these stones stood at a height that a man on horse back could ride under them. Having been felled by bad weather in the early 1800's, they were later erected in their current configuration.
Really beautiful, serene landscape that even though I visited on a dismal, dreary winter afternoon, I can imagine it on a sunny, blue skied day. If you're remotely in the area and need a decent, free, cultural stop, you won't be disappointed.
The quoit is a bit after the farm house, just after a small lay-by of which you can stop in to walk up the stones. You'll also notice it seems plenty of people have started climbing up a spot of the stone wall and under a barbed-wire fence instead of walking the 20m up the road and using the built for purpose site access... but hey, who are we to judge :-/
I personally feel the site is amazing. Great set of stones out in the absolute middle of nowhere. Amazing to think at one time these stones stood at a height that a man on horse back could ride under them. Having been felled by bad weather in the early 1800's, they were later erected in their current configuration.
Really beautiful, serene landscape that even though I visited on a dismal, dreary winter afternoon, I can imagine it on a sunny, blue skied day. If you're remotely in the area and need a decent, free, cultural stop, you won't be disappointed.
Written 12 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Diamond Beach, Australia357 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Not the easiest place to find, even with the GPS, but it's doable, & worth the effort. There is a little gap in the hedgerow with a small gate that gets you in. Not easy to spot however.
Written 18 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor member
Christchurch, United Kingdom
How can I get there from St Ives by bus or car.
Written 4 May 2015
I would say car would be much easier, we drove down through St Ives, stopped off at Zennor then on to the Quoit (its not really signposted but easy to see from road), not a soul there when we saw it, we continued on to Lands End and Lizzard Point with a few other stop off's, all in a day.
Written 4 May 2015
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