Often we don’t know what’s right under our nose.

I staggered across the ancient and interesting Carn Euny Neolithic settlement when looking for a mate’s house.

Last night I sought out the Tregeseal Stone Circle after seeing it in a guide book I flicked through while queuing in the Post Office.

It’s worth a slow stroll through the hamlet of Tregeseal anyway. It’s so different than it would have been just 50 years ago when the Holman’s Foundry was still active off the main street, where anything from massive boilers for shipping to bicycles was made. Before that there were mills and stamps active too.

Today the hamlet is quiet, unless there’s a big rugby match on, so you can amble up the middle of the street, taking in the quaint, and sometimes impressive old houses, accompanied by the music of the stream.

My route took me through Tregeseal, then taking a footpath signed right turn, I dropped down to a raised path above the stream that took me straight into the middle of the even smaller hamlet of Lower Bostraze where you’ll face an impressive modern house who’s glass gable end makes the most of the view down the valley.

Taking a left onto the main track took me out of the hamlet and up to the moors that looked quite splendid last night in the falling light, carpeted as they are in heather and gorse. I took a quick left to check out Warren’s Pool and then doubled back to find the stone circle.

Tregeseal Stone Circle

I love the fact that something as atmospheric, ancient, and intriguing is just standing there in the open, with no sign, no pay booth, humbly stimulating our imagination as to what our distant ancestors may have got up to. I understand Pagan ceremonies still take place here – I’d like to happen across one by accident. I understand there are also a series of tall holed stones, when I find them I’ll update this post.

Carn Kenidjack, above Tregeseal, St Just.

After photos with Polly and Richie B, friend and New Forge guest, we headed up to the Carn. I’d advise wellies rather than walking boots, it’s pretty boggy in places, even though it has been dry for ages.

KC on top of Carn Kenidjack

The Carn dominates the skyline and gives the best views of the coast for miles around, certainly as good as Chapel Carn Brea, and last night’s setting sun over Botallack made it extra special.

We didn’t find the best route back, and ended up on the main road for a hundred yards or so before getting to No Go By Hill, and dropping back down to Tregeseal, but it was worth every moment. Especially as we passed some cool waste sculptures that I guess to be David Kemp’s exciting work.

Probably David Kemp’s work.

This simple walk from the centre of St Just and back took us around two and a half hours, including photo time.