08 – South Coast Western

Goonhilly Barrows

Krugow Goon Helghi

Dotted across Goonhilly Downs are the remains of large Bronze Age funerary monuments called Barrows.

Goonhilly Barrows

Periods

History

Timeline

2500-700BC

Bronze Age

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

1939-1945

World War Two

During the Second World War, Goonhilly Downs saw the construction of anti landing obstacles and defences, including ditches dug into the barrows.

1964

Modern Day

Goonhilly Downs Barrow Cemetery was listed as a Scheduled Monument in 1964, protecting the site for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Overview

Round barrows such as these are dotted across Goonhilly Downs, including a collection of 7 barrows on surrounding Goonhilly Earth Station, not far from the old RAF Dry Tree site. Whilst today barrows like these can be easily easily mistaken for natural features, when they were constructed they would have been significant features in the landscape, with notable ditches around the outside where the material for the earth mound in the centre was quarried from. The barrows may have had large curb stones around the bottom of the mound marking them out in the landscape. Over time, this barrow has been shaped by the elements, wartime preparations and even the burrowing of badgers.

Goonhilly Barrows Cemetery were 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

The significance of barrows such as those on Goonhilly Downs is possibly not fully understood due to the lack of modern excavation of the features. Many of the barrows in Cornwall were robbed in the 18th and 19th century after the famous Rillaton gold cup was found in a similar feature on Bodmin Moor.

Throughout the Bronze Age, when the barrows were built, they often held a stone cist or box formed of edge set slabs at the centre with the remains of an important person. The sites may have been built on important locations at the centre of a tribes land, or at the boundaries between rival tribes.

These features are also significant for the evidence of activity across the site dedicated to defending the area during World War 2 including practise trenches dug through the barrows and anti aircraft emplacements dug into the top of the northern most barrow.

 

Myths and Legends

Ghosts and Whispering Mounds

Local legend says that Goonhilly Downs was once a haunt for highwaymen and smugglers. The flat, open land offered secret tracks across the moor, perfect for disappearing quickly or for stashing contraband. Some say the barrows were used as hiding places, or even as landmarks for night-time navigation. One tale tells of a ghostly rider seen galloping across the downs, thought to be the restless spirit of a highwayman caught and hanged nearby. He’s said to vanish into thin air as he reaches one of the barrows.

Many barrows in Cornwall are surrounded by folklore and Goonhilly is no exception. The mounds are sometimes described in stories as “whispering” in the wind, with sounds of voices or music on still nights. Some say these are the voices of the ancient dead, others think they’re echoes of travellers lost on the moor.

Visuals

Goonhilly Barrows

Panoramas

These views show where Bronze Age people built their barrows, right here on the open downs.

Goonhilly Barrow Landscape

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Goonhilly Barrow Detail

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Protect

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Features of Interest

The barrow lies within the wide, open landscape of Goonhilly Downs a rare, lowland heath habitat. It’s a peaceful but exposed spot. The barrow itself is one of several in the area, part of an ancient cemetery that stretches across this wild ground. Its shape has been softened over time, but you can still make out the mound and the quarry ditch that helped build it.

But it’s not just nature shaping this site. The barrow has taken a few knocks from wartime training in the 1940s, to the burrowing of badgers today. Erosion and disturbance have made parts of it unstable.

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Local Flora & Fauna

Goonhilly Downs is home to a special mix of plants and animals that thrive on its lowland heath. Look closely and you might spot rare wildflowers like bog asphodel, tormentil or even orchids in the right season. The heathland is a haven for insects too, including butterflies and bees. If you’re lucky and quiet you might even catch a glimpse of an adder or hear the rustle of a lizard darting through the heather. This unique habitat is just as precious as the barrows themselves.

How Visitors Can Help

You can help look after this special place just by treating it gently. Stick to paths where you can and try not to climb on the barrows some parts are wobbly from erosion and burrowing animals. If you’re walking a dog, please keep it close so it doesn’t dig or disturb wildlife.

Efforts and Challenges

Looking after the barrow isn’t always easy. The open moorland means it’s exposed to strong weather, which slowly wears it down. Burrowing animals like badgers have also made parts of the mound unstable. In the past, it was damaged during wartime training and now even footsteps or curious digging can cause harm. But there’s good work happening too volunteers and archaeologists have cleared scrub, recorded changes, and raised awareness about the barrow’s condition. It’s a constant balancing act.

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Goonhilly Barrows  becomes Krugow Goon Helghi / Ynkleudhva Krug Goon Helghi in Cornish.
It means krugow – tumuli, goon helghi –  hunting downs / ynkleudhva – emetery krug tumulus & goon helghi – hunting downs.

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Directions

Grid Ref: SW7238421726

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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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