Carnmenellis facts for kids
Carnmenellis Hill, often just called Carnmenellis, is a well-known hill in west Cornwall, England. It gives its name to the whole area found between the towns of Redruth, Helston, and Penryn. This hill is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Redruth.
Carnmenellis is special because it is one of five "Marilyns" in Cornwall. A Marilyn is a hill that is at least 150 meters (about 492 feet) high, with a drop of at least 150 meters on all sides. The other Marilyns in Cornwall are Brown Willy, Kit Hill, Hensbarrow Beacon, and Watch Croft. The natural area around Carnmenellis has been officially recognized as "national character area 155" by Natural England, which means it has unique natural features.
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What is Carnmenellis?
The name Carnmenellis can mean a few things. It refers to the hill itself, but also to the wider area around it. Sometimes, the nearby village of Penmarth is even called Carnmenellis by local people.
The Carnmenellis Granite
When people talk about 'Carnmenellis Granite', they are talking about the high, flat land in this area. This land is made of a type of rock called granite. It's one of five large granite areas in Cornwall that are part of something much bigger called the Cornubian batholith. Think of a batholith as a huge underground rock formation made of granite. You can learn more about this in the Geology of Cornwall article.
A Bit of History
Carnmenellis was once the name of a church area, or "ecclesiastical parish," which was created in 1846. It was formed from a part of the Wendron parish. Later, a section of this parish became its own area called Pencoys. Today, most of the Carnmenellis area is part of the Stithians civil parish. A civil parish is a local government area.
Exploring Carnmenellis Hill
The very top, or "summit," of Carnmenellis Hill is 252 meters (828 feet) above sea level. You can find it on a map using the OS grid reference: grid reference SW 695 364.
The Tower on the Hill
At the summit, there is a tall tower that sends and receives microwave signals. This tower is very important for connecting telephone calls, computer data, and even for sending out television and radio broadcasts. It helps people communicate across the region and is looked after by BT.
Ancient Fortifications
Around Carnmenellis Hill, you can find several old Iron Age fortifications. These were like ancient forts or defensive walls built a very long time ago. However, not much archaeological research has been done on these sites yet, so there's still a lot to discover!
Visiting the Area
While the hill is a famous landmark, there isn't a public path directly to the very top of the summit. The land around the tower is private farmland. However, about half of the fields nearby are "Open Access land" thanks to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This means you can walk freely across these areas, even if there isn't a marked path.
