Chapel Carn Brea

Chapel Carn Brea is, according to the National Trust sign at the gate from the car park, the most westerly hill in mainland Britain. However what the good folks of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in Scotland have to say to that I don't know. It certainly is the most westerly hill in England. From the top, a short climb from the car park, with a rough hewn stone bench half way up, the view is stupendous. Starting looking East you have St Micheal's Mount and the western moors of Cornwall, then out to the Lizard, the whole of the south of West Penwith, Wolf Rock Lighthouse, Sennen and Longships Lighthouse, The Scilly Isles on the horizon, round to Cape Cornwall. Further on round you have the moors of West Penwith. The hill itself hosts a Bronze Age burial cairn, the site of a hermit's chapel, and five dog-ignoring Dartmoor ponies (in beautiful condition) keeping the gorse in check. Our dogs love it, they tell us there are rabbits around but they haven't caught any yet. They disappear into the bracken frequently. At the right time of the year the yellow gorse and purple heather/ling add intense colour contrast to the green. The entire walk is off lead - but take care that the Dartmoor ponies are loose - depends on your dogs. Direction details: Car Park at SW 388 283, just north of the A30 from Penzance to Sennen and Land's End.