Carn Brea Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carn Brea Castle |
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South side, photo taken in 2009
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| General information | |
| Location | Carn Lane, Carnkie, Redruth, Cornwall |
| Coordinates | 50°13′20.85″N 5°14′41.40″W / 50.2224583°N 5.2448333°W |
Carn Brea Castle is a cool stone building on Carn Brea in Cornwall, England. It looks like a castle, but it was actually built as a hunting lodge! This unique building dates back to the 14th century. It was later changed a lot in the 1700s. Today, it's a private restaurant.
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What is Carn Brea Castle?
Carn Brea Castle is a small, interesting building made of granite stone. It was designed to look like a medieval or gothic castle. It has an unusual shape with four square towers around a central part. The top has a special wall with gaps, called a parapet.
A Unique Design
The castle is built right into a huge rock formation. This makes it look like it's melting into the land. It's sometimes called a "folly" because it was built more for fun and looks than for living in. It's about 60 feet long and 10 feet wide. It was perfect for hunters to use as a base.
The Castle's Long Story
Carn Brea Castle has a long and interesting history. It wasn't always a hunting lodge.
From Chapel to Hunting Lodge
The building started as a chapel in 1379. People think it was dedicated to Saint Michael. An old writer named William Worcester mentioned it as one of 32 castles in Cornwall. He described it as a tower.
Later, in the 18th century, the Basset family rebuilt it. They turned it into the castle-like hunting lodge we see today. The huge, rough rocks in its foundation make it look very old and special.
A Beacon and a Restaurant
In the late 1800s, the castle was even used as a beacon. Its lease said the tenant had to show a light in the north-facing window. This light helped guide ships.
For a while in the mid-1900s, the castle was empty and falling apart. But from 1975 to 1980, it was fixed up by private owners. In 1975, it was officially listed as a Grade II historic building. This means it's an important part of England's history. Since the 1980s, Carn Brea Castle has been a restaurant serving delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
Carn Brea Castle in the News
Carn Brea Castle has popped up in the news a few times!
Famous Connections
An old trading ship from the 19th century was named after Carn Brea Castle. This shows how well-known the castle was, even long ago.
More recently, in 2006, something really cool happened. The famous blue Ford Anglia car from the Harry Potter films was found at the castle! It was a fun surprise for fans.
