Black Head Cliff Castle

Overview

Black Head Cliff Castle sits on the south coast, protected by steep natural cliffs on three sides which make the interior practically inaccessible from the sea. The interior is connected to the mainland by only a narrow strip of land with at least three parallel rampart banks and ditches defending it. A causeway through the centre is probably the original entrance, and there are traces of low banks in the interior and at least one stone hut circle to the NNW.

The area around Black Head is likely to contain archaeological and environmental evidence of its construction, strategic/territorial significance, and perhaps also the social organisation of trade, agricultural and domestic practices.

The red brick rifle range was built on the site in the 1880’s and has been modified heavily through the 20^th century. The metal targets which still stand could be raised and lowered on a system of pulleys which may have been electrified before the site was closed.

Black Head Cliff Castle was part of Cornwall National Landscape’s A Monumental Improvement Project, which aimed to ensure that 40 scheduled monuments across Cornwall National Landscape were better protected, identified and enjoyed by a wider range of people. Between 2022 – 2025, the Project delivered conservation repairs, installed new heritage interpretation signage, ran a range of community volunteering events and developed new website resources. The Project was primarily funded thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from our other partners – Cornwall Council, Historic England, The National Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Cornwall Archaeological Society.

Historical Significance

Cornish cliff castles have been the subject of comparatively little study, with relatively few examples being the subject of modern excavation. The significant scale of the defensive banks and ditches and size of the interior suggest a site of high status. Black Head is one of 65 possible (29 certain) cliff castles in Cornwall. Although cliff castles are present around the entire coast of Britain, Cornwall has the second highest concentration of cliff castles after Wales and almost all excavated examples have evidence of settlement on the interior, with roundhouses and associated building platforms identified.

Interpretations of cliff castles have traditionally focussed on militaristic functions and their construction has been attributed as a response to coastal threat. More recent interpretation of cliff castles have been much more varied, and recognised that their purpose and function could have changed over time.

Some popular suggested interpretations include:

• Control: Used as ‘watch towers’ to control valuable coastal pasture.
• Community: As meeting and trading places for surrounding inland communities.
• Trade: Prominent land marks to control cross-channel trade. Some cliff castles are built on headlands above safe harbours, which may have landed valuable cargo.
• Power: The construction of cliff castles would have been a significant show of power in the landscape, signalling the presence of a powerful tribal chief
• Ritual: Areas of ritual or cultural importance, at the transition between land and sea.

The most accurate interpretation could be a mix of several of the above suggestions, or something else entirely. It is possible that archaeologists will continue to debate their function for a long time to come and future excavations may yet shed light on how the sites were built and used.