Kenidjack Cliff Castle
Site details |
|
|---|---|
| Type of site: | Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle |
| Nearest town: | St Just |
| Map reference: | SW 3550 3260 (SW3633) |
| Coordinates: | 50.1344, -5.7027 |
Nearby sites |
|
| Bodrifty | Ancient Village / Settlement (9.4km) |
| Boscawen Un | Stone Circle (7.7km) |
| Zennor Quoit | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (12.6km) |
| The Merry Maidens of Boleigh | Stone Circle (11.2km) |
| Men-An-Tol | Stone Circle (7.4km) |
| Pendeen Fogou / Pendeen Vau | Fogou (4km) |
| Sancreed Well | Holy Well (7.1km) |
| Madron Well | Holy Well (9km) |
| Chysauster | Ancient Village / Settlement (11.9km) |
| Lanyon Quoit | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (7.5km) |
| Tregeseal East | Stone Circle (3.2km) |
| Chun Castle | Hillfort (5.2km) |
| Kenidjack Cliff Castle | Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (0km) |
| Bosigran Castle | Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (7.5km) |
| The Blind Fiddler | Standing Stone / Menhir (8.4km) |
| Boleigh Fogou | Fogou (11.2km) |
| Bosiliack Barrow | Barrow (7.8km) |
| Boswens Menhir | Standing Stone / Menhir (7.3km) |
| Brane - Entrance Grave | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (6.5km) |
| Carn Euny Fogou & Village | Ancient Village / Settlement (6.1km) |
| Carfury | Standing Stone / Menhir (8.6km) |
| Ballowall Barrow (Carn Gloose) | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (1.4km) |
| Chapel Carn Brea | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (5.6km) |
| Chun Quoit | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (4.9km) |
| The Drift Stones | Standing Stone / Menhir (9.3km) |
| Gun Rith | Standing Stone / Menhir (11.1km) |
| Gurnard's Head | Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (9.8km) |
| Porthmeor Stone | Standing Stone / Menhir (9km) |
| Sancreed Beacon | Ancient Village / Settlement (6.8km) |
| The Selus Stone | Standing Stone / Menhir (2.1km) |
| Tregiffian Barrow | Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (11.1km) |
Kenidjack Cliff Castle is one of several Iron Age promontory forts that have been found in exposed coastal locations on the Penwith peninsula. The neck of the headland would have been protected by a triple row of ramparts that dropped steeply from the spine, stopping just short of the edge of a near-vertical cliff. The ramparts are very well-preserved on the northern side, where it is possible to discern the remains of a triple-ditch defence line. Although the outer and central ramparts are covered in vegetation, protruding stones indicate that they were constructed using granite rocks rather than being simple earth embankments.
Kenidjack has a rich industrial history, including engine houses perched on the edge of dramatic cliffs and Bronze Age burial cairns. The remains of hut circles have also been found in the vicinity. Kenidjack Cliff Castle lies on the coast path between St Just and Botallack, with a small stile giving easy access to the headland. Peregrines and Choughs are often found here, and on a fine day views stretch all the way to the Isles of Scilly.
