Watch Croft

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Watch Croft, in Cornish, Karnan Bygh, located on the White Downs, is the highest point in West Penwith.

The hill overlooks the north coast of the Land's End Peninsula at a height of 830 ft (253 metres) with views across Mount's Bay to the Lizard.

It is classed as a 'Marilyn' because it exceeds 738 ft (225 metres). There are only four other 'Marilyns' in Cornwall - Brown Willy, Hensbarrow Beacon, Kit Hill and Carnmenellis.

It is a rocky tor at its summit with cairns, one of which has been made into a shelter.
One of the cairns has a diameter of 66 ft and is 8ft high with an OS triangulation point.

A short distance from the cairns is a menhir (standing stone) of 6 ft (1.8 metres) During the 19th century, William Copeland Borlase excavated a possible barrow here on the summit but no artefacts were recorded. On the lower slopes of Watch Croft is a settlement of round houses with several hut circles.

Standing within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site it is around 4.3 miles (7 km) from Penzance and a similar distance from St Just in Penwith.

There are several ways to access the summit of Watch Croft, some more difficult than others but one of the best routes is from the bridleway near Garden Mine Cottage.

If you are walking on the moorland in the summer watch out for adders, especially if you are walking with your dog.

Location:
Land's End Peninsula

Road directions to Watch Croft

Books online:
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