7.0
Wildland
Under 1 hour
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Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.0Nineteen stones form an ellipse around a striking off-centre leaning stone. Among them, a pale quartz stone stands out; the site is dated to the late Neolithic–early Bronze Age, approximately 2500–1500 BC.
This is a compact prehistoric site with details that reward a slow look: an unusual elliptical arrangement, a bright quartz stone and a dramatically leaning central stone. Its significance is well documented, though the supplied evidence does not establish current access conditions beyond the described routes.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapNear Penzance, Cornwall
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The experience
A short visit focused on the stone arrangement and its distinctive features. Walk in by a described access route, take time to view the stones from different angles, and look for the pale quartz and leaning central stone. Confirm access and parking conditions before travelling.
Things to do
Read the ellipse
Walk around the 19-stone arrangement and notice its elliptical form and the gap on the western side.
10–20 minutes
Find the quartz stone
Look for the almost-pure-white quartz stone among the stones on the north-east side of the circle.
5 minutes
Study the leaning stone
Notice the off-centre stone, described by the site source as 2.4 metres high and leaning; the source says it is unknown whether it has always stood at this angle.
5 minutes
Look for the possible burial-cist stones
Inspect the jumble of stones on the north-east side, which the site source says may have been part of a burial cist.
5 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick Escape: read the stone circle
- 01
Use one of the access routes described by the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network; check current access and parking before you go.
- 02
Walk around the ellipse and notice how its shape differs from a perfect circle.
- 03
Pick out the pale quartz stone, leaning central stone and western gap.
- 04
Look closely at the north-east stone jumble, which may have been part of a burial cist.
Half day · Half day
Half Day: pair two Penwith stone circles
- 01
Visit Boscawen-ûn and take time to inspect its ellipse, quartz stone and leaning central stone.
- 02
Continue to the Merry Maidens stone circle, which the supplied visitor information identifies as a nearby prehistoric site commonly visited alongside Boscawen-ûn.
- 03
Check access, travel details and current conditions for both sites before setting out; the supplied sources do not verify facilities or a suitable food stop.
Verified history
The Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network dates the stone circle to the late Neolithic–early Bronze Age, approximately 2500–1500 BC. It describes an elliptical arrangement of 19 stones, a pale quartz stone and an off-centre leaning stone. The source says the site was recorded in the Welsh Triads as one of Britain’s three principal gorsedds, or bardic meeting places, and that the revived Gorsedd of the Bards of Cornwall was inaugurated here in 1928. It presents ceremonial or ritual use as likely, rather than certain.
Folklore & legend
The site source reports a tradition connecting Boscawen-ûn with the gorsedds, or bardic meeting places, named in the Welsh Triads. This is a recorded historical tradition, not proof of the circle’s original purpose.
Hidden details
The 19-stone question — The site source notes theories linking the circle’s 19 stones to lunar cycles, but presents this as a possibility rather than an established explanation.
A possible burial cist — A jumble of stones on the north-east side may have formed part of a burial cist, according to the site source.
When to go
June · No general best time is established by the supplied sources. A possible midsummer sunrise alignment is reported, but access at that time should be checked first.
The site source describes a possible midsummer-solstice sunrise alignment; it does not establish seasonal access or other seasonal advantages.
Check the forecast and current access conditions before travelling; the supplied sources do not describe site-specific weather hazards.
Worth pairing with
Merry Maidens Stone Circle
A nearby prehistoric stone circle identified in the supplied visitor information as a site commonly visited alongside Boscawen-ûn. Confirm its access and visit details separately.
What to look for
- 01
The elliptical ring of 19 stones
- 02
the almost-white quartz stone
- 03
the off-centre leaning stone
- 04
a gap on the western side
- 05
and the jumble of stones on the north-east side, which the source says may have formed part of a burial cist. The source also describes a possible axe-head carving near the base of the central stone.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology; possible ceremonial use; Cornish bardic tradition
Best time to go
No particular season is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied source describes a possible midsummer sunrise alignment, but does not provide visitor access arrangements or confirm the best viewing position. Check locally before planning a sunrise visit.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network describes access via a farm track and signposted track, or via a signposted permissive path from the A30. Follow the signs and do not block access. Check current access before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
The source describes limited informal parking: room for one or two cars on the farm lane verge if access is not blocked, or space for two or three cars on a grass verge south of the A30. No parking in the farmyard.
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source’s Google profile data says the car park and entrance are not wheelchair accessible. Surface and path conditions are not established; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
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Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Boscawen-ûn Stone Circle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
