Boscawen Un
OS grid ref:- SW412274
Boscawen Un Stone Circle is located around 1.5 km north of the village of St. Buryan in West Penwith, an area rich in Megalithic sites.
The monument, which dates to the Bronze Age, is eliptical in shape and measures 25.2 metres by 22.3 metres, it consists of nineteen evenly placed granite stones (the same number as the nearby Merry Maidens and Tregeseal East stone circles). The wide gap at the west suggests an astronomical alignment. The stones vary from 3 feet (0.9m) to 5 feet (1.5m) in height with a distinctive leaning central stone.
The central stone, which is composed of quartz, has axe carvings near its base, it measures around 8 feet (2.5m) but leans at such an angle as to render its tip only about 6 feet (1.9m) above ground level. Excavations carried out at the site have revealed evidence that the stone was installed in the leaning position. The stone points toward the midsummer sunrise in the north east.
The stone circle is mentioned in a Medieval Welsh manuscript as one of the three main Gorsedds or meeting places of the ancient Britons, and the modern Cornish Gorsedd first met here in 1928 and it is still used by modern pagan groups.
The circle was restored in 1862
Directions
From Penzance, follow the A30 south, around a mile on from Catchall, before turning off for Sancreed, park on the side of the road by a footpath sign. Follow the footpath through to Boscawen Un.
Image copyright Alan Simkins
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