Carn Bras

Carn Bras is a rural hamlet in central Cornwall between Camborne and Redruth, sitting below Carn Brea hill. The hilltop carries a medieval castle, a granite monument, and the remains of a settlement dating back over 5,000 years - one of the oldest known in Britain. The surrounding landscape is part of the Cornwall and West Devon UNESCO World Heritage mining site.

This isn’t a place with shops, pubs or tourist infrastructure. Carn Bras is about peace and quiet in a countryside setting, with easy access to the rest of west Cornwall. The hill itself offers some of the best walking in the area, with panoramic views reaching from the north coast to the south. On a clear day you can see St Ives Bay in one direction and Falmouth in the other. The old engine houses of the UNESCO World Heritage mining landscape are scattered across the surrounding hills, and Heartlands heritage centre at Pool is just down the road.

Staying here puts you within striking distance of both coasts. The beaches at Portreath and Gwithian are a short drive north, while the Helston and the Lizard are accessible to the south. It suits anyone who wants a rural Cornish base without being completely remote.