Carn Brea

 

Nigel and Lucy at H.M.Sedgemarsh Prison, aka Carn Brea Castle.

Olden days of Carn Brae

Perched on natural, weather worn rocks, high above Redruth, is the strange castle at Carn Brea. Once a medieval hunting lodge, for royalty and the well-to-do of olden times, the castle is as intriguing a building as you are likely to find. It can be seen for miles around, being at a high point in the heart of the Cornish landscape.

There is an impossible nature to the place that makes it perfect for The Last Crown. Observe the way the rooms have been piled upon the smooth, shapely rocks of the tor. A quirky rooms defying gravity. I wonder what happens within? In The Last crown, the castle doubles as H.M.Sedgemarsh Prison, the temporary abode of Edmund Gruel, the CatNapper! But, old buildings have a mixed history. If Sedgemarsh were haunted, who could it be? From what times and eras still echo within the stones, both of the building, and its ancient foundations.

The folly castle at Carn Brea was once a medieval hunting lodge, high above the industrial town of Redruth.

  Long dark tunnels lead under the hilltop Monument.   Perched on the natural Tor, Carn Brea Castle is a precarious looking building.


The rugged crenellated 'battlements' suggest an important fortified building, but in reality, no battles have ever rocked these castle walls. Not that I know of, but perhaps the stones will tell a different story when scutinised with the GhostGadget. If any of you out there believe in the 'stone tape' phenomena (the theory that stone can record distinctive past events) will wonder what kind of 'events' could be stored, in those boulders, out on the moor.

In fact, the whole hillside is alive with interest. This area has seen industrial action, on a huge scale, back during Victorian times. But long before the fires, the noise and the smoke, this hillside has home to man dating back 6000 years! Am ancient circle of stones and boulders suggest the hillside was a defensible position, back in a past almost impossible to imagine, so blood is very likely to have spilled on to the rocks we see today. A disturbing thought. What would you do if you encountered the ghost of a 6000 year old warrior? Run and scream is likely, but let's see how Nigel and Lucy get on.


Carn Brea castle as seen in this period postcard.


There is further mystery to savour, too. Some say that a tunnel once joined the castle with the nearby church of St.Uny, in Carn Brea Village. In fact, there is some debate about which tunnel it is, given that Carn Brea is also riddled with old mine tunnels. There is evidence, as recent as the 1980's, to suggest some of the tunnels were 'filled in' by the local council, as the rocks had become unstable and dangerous. If a tunnel did lead under the castle, what was it used for? Contraband from the village, via the church(!!) hidden away in the trees at the foot of the hillside? It's a romantic and exciting idea! The small hamlet is intriguing in itself, and well worth taking-in, if you are driving up to the castle. Speaking of which, this is not a trip for the feint hearted or nervy driver. It's a steep rugged moorland hill road, so take great care.

Jonathan photography Carn Brea Castle, as seen in The Last Crown as H.M.Sedgemarsh Prison.

 



Links:

Carn brea entry on Historic Cornwall

Wikipedia - Carn Brea

Carn Brea Restuarant - In the castle!



© Copyright 2012 - Jonathan Boakes - Darkling Room - Updated 30th, November, 2012.
Napper Sighting #3