Carn Brea, which is Cornish for Rocky Hill, is not only home to the 15th-century castle; it is also the site of an ancient neolithic settlement, thought to be the oldest discovered in Cornwall. The castle was converted into a 18th century folly which today is a quaint and unusual restaurant.
Excavations have revealed Neolithic remains, Bronze Age axes, golden Celtic coins, Roman coins, and other artefacts. Some say it was also home to the mythical figure of Bolster, a giant who is said to have terrorized the locals. The castle may also have been a lookout point for smugglers during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Mining, quarrying and charcoal burning were important here during the Industrial Revolution. The remains of the tin mining industry are particularly impressive, and it is one of ten sites that make up the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
A visit to Carn Brae offers a compact and well-preserved tin mining heritage landscape and a quirky hill top castle with wonderful views. Also, it is one of the best places in Cornwall to fly a drone.
