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Lanyon Quoit

One of a group of stuctures known as Chambered Tombs which are the oldest
stone monuments to remain in Cornwall, dating from the Early Neolithic
Stone Age some six thousand years ago. The capstone was dislodged during
a thunderstorm in the last century and replaced in 1824. Before this the
capstone stood about 8ft from the ground on four upright support stones,
one of which was fractured during the collapse.

'The walk from the Nine Maidens (Boskednan Circle) to Lanyon Quoit takes about three quarters of an hour. You take the path from the circle in the direction of the engine house and after passing through a gap in an old stone wall continue along the main trackway which joins a stretch of old road to the engine house of Greenburrow Mine. From here there are fabulous views of St. Michael's Mount and the Lizard as well as the rocky carns and hilltop forts stretching as far as Carn Brea near Camborne. Lanyon Quoit can easily be seen to the southwest, with the Logan Stone of Boswarva Carn on the skyline behind. Leave the engine house in this direction, crossing the stone stile next to an old rusty gate, ahead of you is the dramatic outline of Carn Kenidjack - the Hooting Carn above St Just - you arrive next at another stile next to a wooden gate. Cross over and turn half left in the direction of the Quoit which can still be seen, follow the track across rough fields littered with settlement remains and in one place what looks like the uncovered passage of a 'chambered tomb'. As you start to ascend the final hill the Quoit disappears from view but as you reach the crest of the hill the Quoit reappears with its massive stones silouetted against the sky. this is the best approach to the monument - the easy way is to park on the road a few yards away but the effect is quite different and rather disappointing.' ['Guide', Ian Cooke, Men-An-Tol Studio 1985]
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