St Gennys Cliff Castle

Overview

The ‘knife edge’ ridge you can see on the north side of the steep valley below was scheduled in 1966 as the remains of an Iron Age Cliff Castle, with three defensive earth banks. However, study of the site suggests these defences only make sense if the majority of the interior has been eroded away by the sea. Geologists also believe that the ‘earthworks’ could be the results of slumping of the hillside and the whole feature could be explained by erosion. Whether the site is archaeological in nature or purely a natural feature, it is impressive site, with stunning views out over the dramatic cliffs.

St Gennys 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

St Genny’s Cliff Castle is a curious and dramatic site that gives us a glimpse into Cornwall’s distant past. Thought to be an Iron Age promontory fort, it was first recorded as a protected monument in 1966. The remains include three large earth banks, but much of the site may have been lost to the sea over thousands of years. Some experts now believe the landscape itself shaped by landslides and cliff erosion may have created the dramatic features we see today. Whether made by people or nature, this clifftop site still tells an important story about how the land has changed over time and how we try to protect its history.