Maker Heights
50° 20' 15" N 4° 11' 36" WMaker Heights is located close to Rame Head Heritage Coast on the south coast of Cornwall.
The Napoleonic barracks of Maker Heights and surrounding land occupies the highest point of the Rame Peninsula in south east Cornwall, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with views of farmland, rolling hills and woods. Plymouth is easily spotted, sprawled across the other side of the Tamar, and the moors beyond, all bounded by the ever-changing sea.
The Heights is only a few minutes walk to the beaches and villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, once a popular haunt of smugglers and now unspoilt by time with their narrow streets with colour-washed cottages.
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- Carpark (Free)
- Café (Seasonal)
- Hazard: Cliffs
- Limited access for wheelchairs
- Dogs allowed (All year)
- 5 minute walk from carpark
History of Maker Heights
Maker Heights is a historic site located on the Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall. The site was originally established as a military barracks in the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars. The barracks served as a base for the Royal Marines, and later, the British Army. In 1862, the site was converted into a prison, known as “HMS Warspite”, which housed over 400 convicts.
After the prison closed in 1929, the site was largely abandoned until it was purchased by the Ministry of Defence during World War II. During the war, the site was used as a training ground and storage facility for the Royal Navy.
After the war, the site was again abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the 1980s, local residents formed the Maker Trust and began restoring the site. Today, Maker Heights is a thriving cultural and community centre, with a range of facilities including art studios, music venues, and conference rooms. The site also offers stunning views of Plymouth Sound and the surrounding countryside.
Maker Heights is an important part of Cornwall’s history and serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the local community.
Travel / Parking information for Maker Heights
Directions to Maker Heights
From the A38, take the B3247 towards Millbrook and follow signs for the Rame Peninsula. Continue on local roads towards Maker Heights, which is well-signposted from Millbrook and Kingsand. The site is accessible by car and offers scenic driving routes through the peninsula.
Parking for Maker Heights
There is a free car park at Maker Heights, with spaces available near the historic buildings and along the entrance road. Parking can fill up during events and peak times, so arriving early is recommended. The site is accessible by foot from the car park, with various trails and paths leading to different areas of interest.