09 – South Coast Central

Carne Beacon

Karn Tansys

A legendary site, Carne Beacon is a Bronze Age funerary monument called a barrow with commanding views over the coast line below.

Carne Beacon

Periods

History

Timeline

2500-700BC

Bronze Age

Barrows like this are typically thought to date from the Bronze Age.

500's AD

Early Medieval Period

The legend of King Gerennius and his gold boat with silver oars took place in the 6th Century.

1855

19th Century

The site was excavated in 1855. A central cist was found, but without pottery or other good dating evidence.

1939-1945

World War Two

During World War Two the barrow was used as an observation post. The concrete structure on top are the remains of this use.

2000

Modern Day

Carne Beacon was listed as a Scheduled Monument in September 2000, protecting the site for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Overview

Carne Beacon is traditionally said be the resting place of King Gerennius, whose body was rowed across Gerrans bay in a gold boat with silver oars. According to the legend, the vessel was then brought up to this location and buried under this big earth and stone mound. However, excavations in 1855 revealed the mound to have been built thousands of years earlier, dating back to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago.

The site is a type of burial monument called a Round Barrow. Cremated remains of an important person would have been buried here, long before the legend of King Gerennius. Later disturbance from the building of a World War Two observation post, medieval field boundaries and badger activity have reduced the height of the monument somewhat, but it still offers impressive views across the landscape.

Carne Beacon 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

Carne Beacon has been a significant feature in the landscape for millennia. As well as its prehistoric construction and legendary connections, the site also bears the marks of centuries of land use and development. 

Over time, the site has been shaped by its use as a World War II lookout and traces of old field boundaries remain. Though it’s been disturbed, the barrow still holds its place in the landscape, full of stories from long ago.

Geophysical survey has revealed lots of features in the fields surrounding the monument, hinting that the site has long been a significant point in the landscape which people might have used to congregate at important times of the year.

The site has a diameter of 33m and is stand over 5.5m high and was surveyed by Archaeophysica as part of the South West Coast Paths project ‘Unlocking Our Coastal Heritage’. The survey aimed to assess if there were surviving features associated with the barrow in the surrounding field, to enable better management and interpretation of the site.

The results of the survey were promising – with three significant groups of features identified.

  1. A series of three ring ditches surround the barrow, with gaps in the outermost two, not visible on the ground today.
  2. The remains of a possible burial cairn to the south of the barrow, surviving under the plough soil.
  3. A possible Romano-British phase at the site represented by a series of parallel ditches representing an enclosure which extend out beyond the surveyed area.

This work has helped to update the scheduling of this monument, and helps inform the way the land is used to mitigate damage to surviving below ground archaeology.

Myths and Legends

A King, a Golden Boat and a Hill of Secrets

Long ago, people believed that Carne Beacon was the burial place of King Gerennius, one of Cornwall’s legendary rulers. According to the tale, when he died, his body was placed in a golden boat with silver oars and rowed across Gerrans Bay. The boat was brought up the hill and buried right here, under the great mound.

No one ever found the boat, but the story stuck. Even though we now know the barrow is much older, the legend adds a magical layer to the site. It’s a place where history and myth sit side by side.

Visuals

Carne Beacon

Panoramas

Carne Beacon doesn’t just hold history, it offers some incredible views too. From the top of the barrow, you can take in the surrounding landscape and imagine how it looked thousands of years ago. These panoramas show why this spot was chosen for such an important monument.

Carne Beacon Detail

From here, you can see all the way across Gerrans Bay. Legend says King Gerennius was rowed across these waters in his golden boat. It’s easy to picture the scene with the sea sparkling in the distance.

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Carne Beacon Landscape

Looking the other way, you’ll spot rolling fields and farmland stretching out across the Roseland. This peaceful view has changed over time, but the Beacon has stayed standing through it all.

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Protect

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Features of Interest

Carne Beacon is a large round barrow made from earth and stone, measuring about 40 metres wide and over 5 metres high. At the top, you’ll spot a flat area where a World War II observation post once stood. There’s also a low stone bank running across the mound, part of a much older field boundary. Look closely and you might notice signs of burrowing from local badgers too! Despite all these changes, the Beacon still stands out as a striking feature in the landscape.

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Local Flora & Fauna

Carne Beacon is surrounded by gently grazed pasture and patches of scrub, creating a welcoming home for wildlife. You might spot rabbits or catch a glimpse of badgers who’ve been busy burrowing into the mound. Birds like skylarks and meadow pipits often dart across the open skies and in summer, wildflowers add colour to the grassland. The mix of open space and shelter makes this a great spot for nature as well as history.

How Visitors Can Help

Carne Beacon is a special place and you can help keep it that way. Please stick to the paths to protect the mound and its wildlife and take any litter home with you. Try not to disturb any animals, especially the badgers who live here. By being gentle with the site, you’re helping to care for its stories, its nature and its future.

Efforts and Challenges

Looking after Carne Beacon isn’t always easy. Over the years, the mound has been damaged by weather, people and burrowing animals like badgers. Scrub and bracken can also grow quickly and hide important features. But thanks to ongoing care from the National Trust and local volunteers, the site is being managed to protect both its history and its wildlife. It’s a constant balance between conservation and nature but one worth working for.

Cornwall National Landscape’s Monumental Improvement Project has been working with the National Trust and Historic England to develop a future management plan for the monument, ensuring the land is used sensitively, for the enhancement of our rich heritage and ecology.

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Translation Explanation

Carne Beacon becomes Tansys Karn in Cornish. It means tansys – beacon & karn – carne.

Visit

Directions

Grid Ref: SW 91263 38647

Find with what3words: archduke.dads.otherwise

Please visit National Trust website for more visitor information here

Get Directions

Access and Visitor Information

Plan your visit with essential details on transport and parking options, available facilities, route descriptions and accessibility information to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience at any of our historical monuments.

Get Involved

You can play a part in preserving Cornwall National Landscape’s beauty and history for future generations. Volunteering opportunities range from helping with conservation efforts to assisting with educational programmes and community events. Whether you have a passion for nature, history, or simply love the outdoors, there’s a way for you to contribute. Join us and make a difference while connecting with others who share your enthusiasm for Cornwall’s heritage. Scroll down and follow the links to our Volunteering Hub to find out more!

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Give a little back by volunteering

Cornwall National Landscape is a non-profit organisation that conserves the unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage of Cornwall. Volunteering for the protected landscape provides a rewarding experience of giving back to the community and preserving the Cornwall's natural beauty.

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Dig In...

Discover a wealth of knowledge in our Resources section, where you can download detailed research documents, reports, and source material compiled by our archaeology team to enhance your understanding of the site.

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