Maen Castle
50° 4' 21" N 5° 42' 29" WMaen Castle is the furthest west of all Castles in mainland England.
Maen Castle is one of the oldest datable Cliff Castles in Cornwall, dating to around 500BC. Pottery shards have been found at Maen Castle covering the period 400BC to 400AD.
Promontory forts can be found all along the coasts of Penwith. Their sites would be chosen on headland where the forts were surrounded mainly by steep cliffs, with only a relatively small landward neck to the isthmus. Defences could be concentrated on the small landward boundary. The fort usually consisted of a series of ramparts and ditches.
Maen Castle is now managed by The National Trust and is close to Sennen Cove. The National Trust has signs for both the site and the castle’s entrance.
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- Dogs allowed (All year)
- 15 minute walk from carpark
History of Maen Castle
Travel / Parking information for Maen Castle
Directions to Maen Castle
From the A30, follow signs towards Land’s End. Just before reaching Land’s End, take the road towards Sennen and follow local signage for the South West Coast Path. Maen Castle is accessible by foot from nearby trails, with a moderate walk from the parking areas.
Parking for Maen Castle
Parking is available at Land’s End, where a pay-and-display system is in place. From the car park, it’s a short walk along the South West Coast Path to reach Maen Castle. Due to the remote nature of the site, suitable footwear is recommended, especially for navigating uneven terrain.