Cornwall Places to see-Kithill

Kit Hill dominating the landscape not far from the Cornwall / Devon border. On a clear day look south as far as the Eddystone Lighthouse 37 miles away , around to Plymouth Sound or far north west to the satellite dishes beyond Bude on the North Cornwall Coast. Far below you the River Tamar winding through ancient oak woodland. Much of the Tamar Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Look east across to Dartmoor, west across to Bodmin Moor- Caradon Hill, and yet more mine workings, along the chain of Cornish Hills to Brown Willy and Rough Tor

History and Heritage The Summit of Kithill is marked by the stack of South Kithill Mine. Rich in tin, copper, arsenic and (particularly important during the First World War) wolfram. Worked since Medieval times, many of the v shaped surface workings of the early tin streamers, to the spoil heaps, adits and shafts of the late 19th and 20th century workings though overgrown are still visible- so take great care and keep to marked paths. Keen walkers and horse riders will enjoy the waymarked circular trails. The granite quarry was worked until the 1950's. Many older local people remember the incline in use. Many also say that when the nearby Luckett mine was working the sound of the miners deep underground could easily be heard in the school of this now quiet and off the beaten track Cornish Village.

A Neolithic long barrow, field systems and round barrows from the Bronze Age. Extensive areas of heathland now being restored after loss of grazing in the last few years led to a gradually loss of parts of the precious heath. Gorse, and whortleberry . 'Herts' to Cornishmen- sharp tasting berry about the size of a small blackcurrent. Home to numerous small reptiles including the adder. Usually the breeding site of birds such as the meadow pipit, dartford warbler, linnet and stonechat.