CLIFF CASTLE, Newquay

Cornwall

Cliff Castle, Newquay, Cornwall

The whole coast of Cornwall (and the Scilly Isles) is dotted with so-called "Cliff Castles".  These are Iron Age Promontory Forts.  Usually little more than a slight ditch across a headland, designed as a last refuge in times of trouble.  The logic in cutting yourself off on a headland with nothing but jagged cliffs and sea behind seems questionable, but that is almost certainly what these Cliff Castles were designed for.

The Cliff Castle north of Newquay has one of the most dramatic layouts, very few of them need bridges to get across the ditches.  A more typical example of a Cliff Castle is probably Maen Castle near Land's End, one of the better preserved of the 'slight ditch' variety.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

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