Castella Down

Downs, Moorland in Cornwall

England

Castella Down

Big Pool, St Agnes A very gloomy day, so black and white looks best. This looks across the pool (part of an SSSI) towards St Agnes Lighthouse, grade II* listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . The gabled house, "quarters for lighthouse and coastguard staff", is also listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Big Pool, St Agnes Credit: Derek Harper

Castella Down is a stunning area located in Cornwall, England. It is known for its picturesque downs and moorland, offering visitors breathtaking views and a tranquil environment. Spanning over a vast area, Castella Down is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking solitude in the midst of natural beauty.

The downs of Castella Down are characterized by their rolling hills, covered in lush green grass and dotted with vibrant wildflowers during the summer months. Walking trails crisscross the downs, allowing visitors to explore the area and soak in the panoramic vistas. The downs provide an ideal spot for picnics, leisurely walks, or simply enjoying the serenity of the surroundings.

The moorland of Castella Down is equally captivating, with its rugged terrain and heather-covered expanses. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including wild ponies, sheep, and various bird species. Hiking through the moorland offers a chance to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat and appreciate the untamed beauty of the area.

Castella Down also boasts historical significance, with ancient remains scattered throughout the landscape. These include stone circles, burial mounds, and remnants of Iron Age settlements, providing a glimpse into the area's rich past.

Access to Castella Down is facilitated by a network of well-maintained roads, which lead to designated parking areas and trailheads. Facilities such as visitor centers, picnic spots, and information boards are available to enhance the visitor experience.

Overall, Castella Down in Cornwall is a captivating destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Its downs and moorland offer a serene escape, where one can immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world and connect with the rich heritage of the area.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Castella Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.889507/-6.3512972 or Grid Reference SV8707. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Big Pool, St Agnes A very gloomy day, so black and white looks best. This looks across the pool (part of an SSSI) towards St Agnes Lighthouse, grade II* listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . The gabled house, "quarters for lighthouse and coastguard staff", is also listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Big Pool, St Agnes
A very gloomy day, so black and white looks best. This looks across the pool (part of an SSSI) towards St Agnes Lighthouse, grade II* listed LinkExternal link . The gabled house, "quarters for lighthouse and coastguard staff", is also listed LinkExternal link .
Troy Town Maze, St Agnes Part of a Schedule Monument; <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015697?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015697?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> contains a long description and discussion of the maze. "Local tradition maintains that the maze was originally laid out in 1729 by Amor Clarke, a keeper of the St Agnes lighthouse ... no other pre-20th century British mazes share the cobble-defined construction of this type of pattern". The rocks shown at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/819497">SV8707 : Carn on Castella Down</a> feature beyond.
Troy Town Maze, St Agnes
Part of a Schedule Monument; LinkExternal link contains a long description and discussion of the maze. "Local tradition maintains that the maze was originally laid out in 1729 by Amor Clarke, a keeper of the St Agnes lighthouse ... no other pre-20th century British mazes share the cobble-defined construction of this type of pattern". The rocks shown at SV8707 : Carn on Castella Down feature beyond.
Porth Conger from St Agnes In the foreground is the slipway in front of the Turk's Head. On the left is Porthconger Quay. Gugh is across the bay, with Tol Tuppens <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3451948">SV8808 : Tol Tuppens</a> prominent, and St Mary's is in the distance.
Porth Conger from St Agnes
In the foreground is the slipway in front of the Turk's Head. On the left is Porthconger Quay. Gugh is across the bay, with Tol Tuppens SV8808 : Tol Tuppens prominent, and St Mary's is in the distance.
Isthmus connecting St Agnes to Gugh With the head of Porth Conger. The isthmus is covered at high tide.
Isthmus connecting St Agnes to Gugh
With the head of Porth Conger. The isthmus is covered at high tide.
Kittern Rock, Gugh An impressive granite rock pile, reminiscent of Dartmoor tors, at the northern end of the island.
Kittern Rock, Gugh
An impressive granite rock pile, reminiscent of Dartmoor tors, at the northern end of the island.
Towards Porth Conger from Gugh Looking left from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7763308">SV8808 : Kittern Rock, Gugh</a>.  On the right is Tol Tuppens. Across the natural harbour of Porth Conger is St Agnes, its lighthouse prominent on the left. The Turk's Head pub is the white building.
Towards Porth Conger from Gugh
Looking left from SV8808 : Kittern Rock, Gugh. On the right is Tol Tuppens. Across the natural harbour of Porth Conger is St Agnes, its lighthouse prominent on the left. The Turk's Head pub is the white building.
Field with prehistoric cairn and field system To the east of Barnaby Lane, which runs just over the wall on the right.

Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1015002  <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015002?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015002?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Field with prehistoric cairn and field system
To the east of Barnaby Lane, which runs just over the wall on the right. Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1015002 LinkExternal link
Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party The “street” in this case is Old Lane.  No traffic order is required to close the road here! The Island Hall on the left had tables groaning under the weight of many cakes and other treats.
Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party
The “street” in this case is Old Lane. No traffic order is required to close the road here! The Island Hall on the left had tables groaning under the weight of many cakes and other treats.
Remains of a 19th century gig-shed On the north east edge of Per Askin. 

Of all the islands St Agnes as it is the most south westerly was in the best-placed to spot incoming vessels and launch a pilot-gig . Per Askin at the south west of the island would further increase the chance of getting a pilot aboard first. St Agnes pilots (typically named Hicks)  would then guide the ships as far as Bristol or the south coast ports. A major source of income for the Island throughout the 19th century.

A Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1009280 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009280?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009280?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Remains of a 19th century gig-shed
On the north east edge of Per Askin. Of all the islands St Agnes as it is the most south westerly was in the best-placed to spot incoming vessels and launch a pilot-gig . Per Askin at the south west of the island would further increase the chance of getting a pilot aboard first. St Agnes pilots (typically named Hicks) would then guide the ships as far as Bristol or the south coast ports. A major source of income for the Island throughout the 19th century. A Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1009280 LinkExternal link
A stile to Browarth A tad more conventional than 15 years ago <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/827432">SV8708 : Crate Based Stile</a>.
A stile to Browarth
A tad more conventional than 15 years ago SV8708 : Crate Based Stile.
Two post-medieval quays These quays are believed to have been built to land coal for the St Agnes lighthouse.

For more details see the details on their Historic England listing:
List Entry Number:1016512. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016512?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016512?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The named quay “Uncle Tom’s Quay” is the more eroded of the two but can still be discerned to the right of the picture surmounted by a herring gull.
Two post-medieval quays
These quays are believed to have been built to land coal for the St Agnes lighthouse. For more details see the details on their Historic England listing: List Entry Number:1016512. LinkExternal link The named quay “Uncle Tom’s Quay” is the more eroded of the two but can still be discerned to the right of the picture surmounted by a herring gull.
A fork in the path Compare with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/821812">SV8908 : A Fork in the Path</a> taken by me one day short of fifteen years ago.
A fork in the path
Compare with SV8908 : A Fork in the Path taken by me one day short of fifteen years ago.
The Bar from Gugh A picture postcard scene, but a must to take on a walk around Hoe point today
The Bar from Gugh
A picture postcard scene, but a must to take on a walk around Hoe point today
Sunrise over Gugh
Sunrise over Gugh
Sunrise over Penninis Glad I decided to walk this way this morning.
Sunrise over Penninis
Glad I decided to walk this way this morning.
Crooked Rock One of the named granite outcrops on Wingletang.
Crooked Rock
One of the named granite outcrops on Wingletang.
Refloating Elvera This small launch is probably about 90 years old now.

It's spent the winter in a nearby field undergoing "months of work" according to its owner (on the right of the picture standing on the slipway.)

I expressed surprise that they had towed it down at such a low tide "You are going to let the tide float her?" "Yes, she's full of leaks".
Refloating Elvera
This small launch is probably about 90 years old now. It's spent the winter in a nearby field undergoing "months of work" according to its owner (on the right of the picture standing on the slipway.) I expressed surprise that they had towed it down at such a low tide "You are going to let the tide float her?" "Yes, she's full of leaks".
The St Agnes Lighthouse and attached house From Old lane.

The lighthouse is both a Grade II* listed building List Entry Number:1328835 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

and a Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1014999 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014999?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014999?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The house is Grade II List Entry Number:1218288 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The St Agnes Lighthouse and attached house
From Old lane. The lighthouse is both a Grade II* listed building List Entry Number:1328835 LinkExternal link and a Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1014999 LinkExternal link The house is Grade II List Entry Number:1218288 LinkExternal link
Show me another place!

Castella Down is located at Grid Ref: SV8707 (Lat: 49.889507, Lng: -6.3512972)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///nails.arena.choppers. Near St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.889507,-6.3512972
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.887766/-6.3494232
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 49.8900645/-6.3454829
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.8931161/-6.3512786
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.8874732/-6.3460046
St Warna's Cove
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.889341/-6.346621
Troy Town
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.8909518/-6.3509384
Fast Food
Troytown Farm Ice Cream
Addr Country: GB
Addr Hamlet: St Agnes
Addr Housename: Troytown Farm
Addr Postcode: TR22 0PL
Addr State: Isles Of Scilly
Addr Suburb: Troy Town
Cuisine: ice_cream
Fhrs Id: 770051
Lat/Long: 49.8909912/-6.3511408
Downs
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 49.8916649/-6.3467758
Cafe
Coastguards Lookout
Addr Country: GB
Addr Hamlet: St Agnes
Addr Postcode: TR22 0PL
Addr State: Isles Of Scilly
Addr Suburb: Downs
Fhrs Id: 810772
Lat/Long: 49.8913418/-6.3470014
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8909337/-6.3503521
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8908091/-6.3507817
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8913997/-6.3515487
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8919656/-6.3468066
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 49.888942/-6.3448969
St Warna's Well
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 49.8888322/-6.344876
Troytown Maze
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 49.8891714/-6.3523668
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: outdoor
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8920861/-6.3473596
The Nag's Head
Natural: rock
Lat/Long: 49.8899472/-6.3482662
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 49.8909797/-6.3513956
Bergecooth
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.8926837/-6.3519142
Barrier: cattle_grid
Foot: yes
Motor Vehicle: no
Wheelchair: no
Lat/Long: 49.8932929/-6.3493042
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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