Castle Downs, Cornwall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle Downs |
|
|---|---|
Castle Downs. The hillfort is just visible on the summit.
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 216 m (709 ft) |
| Prominence | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Listing | TuMP |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cornish Killas, Cornwall, UK |
| OS grid | SW945623 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 200, Explorer 106 |
Castle Downs is a round, dome-shaped hill in the middle of Cornwall, UK. It stands about 216 meters (709 feet) high. At the very top of Castle Downs, you'll find an ancient hillfort called Castle an Dinas. From the summit, you can see amazing views across the whole county, all the way to both the north and south coasts.
Contents
Where is Castle Downs Located?
Castle Downs is easy to find, just north of the A30 road in central Cornwall. It's about 2 miles east-southeast of St Columb Major. You'll also find it about 2 miles northeast of Indian Queens. It's roughly 7 miles west-southwest of Bodmin. Not far away, about 1.5 miles to the east, is another hill called Belowda Beacon, which is a bit taller at 227 meters.
What is Castle an Dinas?
The most important feature on top of Castle Downs is Castle an Dinas. This is a huge Iron Age hill fort. It was built by people living in the Iron Age, which was a long time ago!
What Does the Hillfort Look Like?
The hillfort has three large, round walls and ditches. These were probably topped with wooden fences to protect the people inside. The main entrance to the hillfort is on the southwest side. Inside the castle, there are also two Bronze Age burial mounds called barrows. These are ancient graves from an even earlier time, the Bronze Age.
Mining History at Castle Downs
Part of the hillfort was damaged in the 20th century by a mine. This mine was digging for a metal called tungsten (also known as wolfram). The mine is now closed.
Legends and Folklore of Castle Downs
Castle Downs is not just a historical site; it's also part of old Cornish legends. People used to say that this place was one of the homes of the Duke of Cornwall.
According to folklore, it's also where two important figures from the King Arthur legends met their end. These were Cador, Duke of Cornwall, and Ygraine, who was King Arthur's mother.
