Mên-an-Tol

The moment you spot the three standing stones on the moorland near Porthmeor, you know you've found something genuinely odd. Two tall granite slabs frame a third stone between them, creating a hole you can actually walk through - and yes, people have been doing exactly that for centuries, possibly since the Bronze Age. The local legend claims crawling through the hole cures illnesses and rheumatism, which explains the worn, polished edges where countless bodies have squeezed through.

What makes Mên-an-Tol work is its sheer strangeness. It's not grand or Instagram-obvious like some stone circles. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just three weathered rocks on open moorland and whatever meaning you bring to them. The walk across the moor takes maybe twenty minutes from the nearest car park, and that's part of the appeal - you've earned the oddness by the time you arrive.

It's worth a detour if you're the type who finds Bronze Age monuments genuinely interesting rather than just checking boxes. Children often get a genuine kick out of squeezing through the stone, though toddlers might find the moorland walk tedious. The nearest towns offer little else of note, so slot this into a longer circular walk rather than treating it as a standalone stop.

Both Roselands Caravan Camping Park and Polmanter Touring Park sit within reasonable driving distance, making this an easy morning outing from a holiday base. Go early to avoid other visitors and let the strangeness properly settle in.