Visited May 2014

Location	Redruth, Cornwall
Entrance Fee	No
Railway Station Nearby	No
Parking	Yes
Facilities	Restaurant (Evenings only)
Map

Review

If you are looking at the first picture of Carn Brea Castle above, you may be excused for thinking that it actually looks quite small and ordinary, and wondering what exactly  all the fuss is about. However, if you then move onto the second picture, you will see that the castle is literally built onto the stone stacks found at the top of Carn Brea, a Neolithic site high up over the town of Redruth.

Because of this, C4K have voted it the most bonkers castle we have ever visited, and for this reason alone it deserves a place on our website!

It was originally built in the 13th century, into the ramparts of an iron age fort, so is actually a bona fide castle. It was used as a hunting lodge by the Bassett family, local bigwigs in Redruth. A short walk from the castle is a monument to the Bassett family. On the day we visited, there were some teenagers up there bravely playing a game of football, battling the wind which somehow, against all odds, never seemed to blow the football off the summit.

There are no facilities up on the summit, although the castle now operates as a restaurant, it is only open in the evenings. The drive to the castle is certainly an experience, the roads near the summit are in terrible condition. Consider whether your vehicle can manage the roads before you start the drive up to the top! (4x4 recommended!)

More info: Carn Brea Castle