Rough Tor

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Rough Tor

Rough Tor, in the parish of St Breward, is the second highest hill on Bodmin Moor at a height of 1313 ft above sea level (400) metres with a wealth of archaeological and historical sites and splendid views over many ancient settlements and field systems.

The summit of the tor has a logan stone (a stone that 'logs' or rocks), a Neolithic tor enclosure, Bronze age hut circles and more Bronze age remains. You can also see Brown Willy, Cornwall's highest point, a mile to the southeast.

The remains of the Neolithic tor enclosure can be seen encircling the summit - constructed stone walls together with the naturally occurring granite outcrops. Today the walls are missing in places but originally they would have encircled the whole summit and had entrance points lined with stones.

The enclosed area shows signs of terraces which archaeologists believe would have been the location of circular, wooden houses. It appears that they even had small gardens with the dwellings.

The remains of stone hut circles can be found on the slopes on the southern side of Rough Tor, together with enclosures which could have held livestock.

Bronze Age field systems have been identified with more modern, medieval systems overlying parts of them. These could have been areas for growing crops or livestock enclosures.

Channel 4's 'Time Team' programme has carried out an investigation at Rough Tor. They examined a large cairn (500 metres) and the remains of a Bronze Age village.

In medieval times a chapel was constructed on the summit of Rough Tor, making use of one of its cairns. As is customary with chapels and churches on the top of a hill, it was dedicated to St Michael. It was mentioned in a 14th century document. As far as is known, it is the only hill chapel on Bodmin Moor. As it stood on an ancient track across the moor, it could have also been used by travellers as a landmark to guide them on their journey.

Below the summit are the remains of another medieval building.

It is believed that a beacon may have been maintained on Rough Tor by a hermit.

More medieval remains have been found in the area, including a cross base and a small stone cross.

There are two memorials located at Rough Tor:

The first is on the approach to the Tor and can be accessed by walking from the car park and then at the stream turn right. This is the Charlotte Dymond Monument which marks the murder of a young woman on the Tor in 1844.

The second memorial is to the men of the 43rd (Wessex) Division who lost their lives in the Second World War. The inscription reads:

"Rough Tor on which this memorial is placed has been given to the nation in memory of those who lost their lives while serving in the 43rd (Wessex) Division in the north-west European campaign 1944/5"

Adjacent to Rough Tor, on the same granite outcrop, are Little Rough Tor and Showery Tor.
The De Lank River rises nearby.

Camelford is the nearest town and the access point for driving to the car park for Rough Tor.
From the parking, you can walk the 1.5 miles across the moorland onto the summit.

This area is rich in archaeological monuments which can all be visited during a trip to Rough Tor.

When walking on the Tor with a dog please ensure that your pet is kept under close control as there are often ponies, sheep or other livestock on the slopes of Rough Tor.

Available for everyone, funded by people who are Into Cornwall.

If the information on this website has been useful to you please consider a donation.

Plan your journey in Cornwall

Do you have information of a historic or community interest about Rough Tor which you would like featured on this page please email us with your information.

Location:
Bodmin Moor Area

Road directions to Rough Tor

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Rough Tor

Find all the Dog Friendly beaches in Cornwall

More archaeological sites in Cornwall