Crousa Down

A Bronze Age barrow sitting 600 feet above the Cornish coast, Crousa Down offers something most clifftop walks can't - genuine solitude and a proper sense of the past. The tumulus itself is modest in scale, a low grassy mound that takes maybe ten minutes to explore properly, but the real draw is the walk up and the views that open out once you're there.

Getting here means a steady climb from the surrounding moorland. It's not technically demanding, but you'll feel your legs by the time you crest the slope. The payoff is standing at the remains of what Bronze Age people built nearly 4,000 years ago, with the Atlantic stretching out in front of you and barely another soul around. On a clear day, visibility is excellent - you can pick out Pendeen Watch lighthouse to the north and watch the sea light up properly.

This is walkers' territory. Families with young children will struggle with the exposed moorland and uneven ground; there's no shelter, no facilities, and the wind can be fierce even when it's calm elsewhere. Allow an hour including the walk from the nearest parking spot. The monument is free to visit - it's just open moorland - and there's no specific best season, though spring and early autumn feel fresher than the summer tourist rush.

If you're staying at Henry's Camp Site nearby, this makes a solid morning or afternoon expedition that won't eat your whole day. Pair it with a coastal walk either side, or head back down to explore Penzance's quieter edges. It's proper Cornish landscape without the crowds.