Perfect for Private and Customised Small Group Tours

Cornwall’s best-kept secrets aren’t in the gift shops or guidebooks. They’re tucked into moorland valleys, hidden behind hedgerows, or quietly waiting beside ancient wells. If your idea of a great day out includes ancient stones, windswept views, and stories older than time, this is your kind of adventure. Here are 12 more unusual and under-the-radar places to explore—perfect for small group and private tours with a taste for mystery and magic.

1. Carn Euny Ancient Village – Cornwall’s Forgotten Roundhouses

Hidden down a farm track near Sancreed, Carn Euny is one of Cornwall’s best-preserved Iron Age village sites. Here, you’ll find the stone remains of several roundhouses and a mysterious underground passage called a fogou—its original purpose still a mystery.

Wandering the ruins in silence, with only the sound of the wind and birdsong, is a powerful experience. It’s rarely crowded, and ideal for curious minds with an interest in prehistory.

📍 Getting there: Near Brane, signposted from the B3315. Parking available. A short walk through fields.

2. The Nine Maidens Stone Circle – Legends in the Landscape

Just a short drive from Carn Euny lies The Nine Maidens, a Bronze Age stone circle steeped in local folklore. The story goes that nine girls were turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday. (They should have been at chapel.)

Despite the eerie tale, the site has a calm energy, especially at sunset when the stones cast long shadows across the moor.

📍 Getting there: Near the hamlet of Boskednan. Best accessed via footpath from Men-an-Tol or nearby car park.

3. Merry Maidens & Tregiffian Burial Chamber – Dance of the Ancients

Further west near Lamorna sits another circle with a similar story—The Merry Maidens. This near-perfect ring of 19 stones is thought to be over 4,000 years old. According to legend, they were maidens turned to stone for dancing (again, on a Sunday—Cornish legends love this theme).

Just across the road, don’t miss the Tregiffian Burial Chamber, a low, part-subterranean tomb that often goes unnoticed.

📍 Getting there: On the B3315 near Lamorna. Small lay-by for parking. Easily accessible on foot.

4. Madron Holy Well & Chapel – Sacred Waters of West Penwith

Not far from Penzance, this atmospheric site combines a ruined medieval chapel with a much older holy well still visited by pilgrims. Cloth offerings tied to trees line the route, and the site is thought to have been used for healing rituals since pagan times.

The walk through the woods is as magical as the destination.

📍 Getting there: Park near Madron and follow the footpath. It’s a 15–20 minute walk over uneven ground.

5. St Clement Holy Well – A Sacred Spot Hidden in Plain Sight

On the banks of the Tresillian River near Truro, St Clement Holy Well is easily missed, tucked below a churchyard wall. This medieval well has long been associated with healing, and the nearby church of St Clement is worth a visit too.

It’s an easy, peaceful stop if you’re heading through mid-Cornwall.

📍 Getting there: In the village of St Clement, about 2 miles from Truro. Accessible on foot from the village.

6. Trethevy Quoit – Cornwall’s Megalithic Masterpiece

Often described as “Cornwall’s answer to Stonehenge,” Trethevy Quoit is a massive Neolithic portal tomb near St Cleer on Bodmin Moor. Its huge capstone appears to defy gravity, resting at an angle on uprights.

What makes this site extra special? You can walk right up to it—no fences, no ticket booth, just you and 5,000 years of history.

📍 Getting there: Signposted from St Cleer. Small parking area nearby.

7. Giant’s Quoit (or Giant’s Hedge Quoit) – A Lost Dolmen Revisited

Lying near Minions and close to the Hurlers (featured in Part 1), Giant’s Quoit is a lesser-visited burial monument that stands beside a prehistoric track known as the Giant’s Hedge. It’s not as intact as Trethevy, but the atmosphere is rich with mystery.

📍 Getting there: Located on Bodmin Moor. Best accessed via local walking trails near Minions.

8. King Arthur’s Hall – A Mysterious Moorland Rectangle

Not far from St Breward, King Arthur’s Hall is a large, rectangular stone enclosure surrounded by 56 upright stones. Archaeologists still debate its purpose—it could have been ceremonial, spiritual, or something else entirely.

The views over Bodmin Moor are expansive, and the eerie vibe makes it a must-see for Arthurian fans.

📍 Getting there: On Bodmin Moor, near St Breward. Accessed via moorland track—best with a guide or OS map.

9. Stannon Stone Circle – Wild, Windy, and Wonderfully Remote

Just a short walk from King Arthur’s Hall, Stannon Stone Circle is one of Cornwall’s largest, with over 70 stones scattered across moorland. Unlike touristy stone circles, this one feels untouched—no signs, no crowds, just ancient stones and open sky.

Ideal for adventurous walkers and keen photographers.

📍 Getting there: Park near the Stannon China Clay Works. Follow the moorland path (good walking boots recommended).

10. St Clether Holy Well Chapel – Serenity in the Valley

This tiny chapel and holy well, set in a quiet valley on the edge of Bodmin Moor, is one of Cornwall’s most peaceful sacred sites. It has barely changed in centuries.

Dedicated to St Clether, the site features a restored stone chapel, a spring-fed well house, and stunning views of the moors.

📍 Getting there: Down a narrow lane from the village of St Clether. Small car park nearby. A short, peaceful walk.

Feeling Adventurous?

Cornwall’s mysteries run deep—far beyond the usual visitor attractions. If you’re dreaming of a customised private tour that trades crowds for stone circles, sea breezes, and ancient energy, these lesser-known sites are calling.

Planning a trip? We offer flexible small group tours to these hidden locations with knowledgeable local guides. It’s the perfect way to explore Cornwall’s mystical side—at your pace, on your terms.

🗺️ Let us create your perfect off-the-beaten-track Cornwall tour. Get in touch to start planning.