We are delighted to announce that Castle an Dinas, near St Columb Major is set to benefit from £35,000 of Government funding. One of only seven heritage projects in Cornwall to receive funding, the money was secured as part of the recent devolution deal negotiations between Whitehall and Cornwall Council but is guaranteed even if the deal does not get ratified.
One of the largest and most impressive hillforts in Cornwall, Castle an Dinas is one of the 13 historic places cared for by Cornwall Heritage Trust. It is mentioned in Cornish legends as one of the seats of the Duke of Cornwall and as the place where Cador, Duke of Cornwall and husband of King Arthur’s mother, met his death. The existence of such legends suggests that this site remained important long after its construction in the Iron Age.
The funds will go towards improving the presentation and accessibility of the site and will include enlarging and improving the car park and rerouting the track to it to make it easier for visitors to access the site.
These improvements aim to encourage more visitors and, in particular, schools to visit and learn about Cornwall’s distinctive heritage, building on the work Cornwall Heritage Trust already does through providing grants to primary schools in Cornwall to help them visit sites like this. For example, in 2021, the charity funded 52 trips to places like Castle an Dinas, benefitting over two thousand children.
Work is set to commence at the end of the month. More information about the dates and details of this will be released on our website and signposted at the site as soon as possible.
Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO, Cathy Woolcock said, “We’re hugely grateful for this Government funding, which will benefit the many thousands of people who visit Castle an Dinas every year. Grants for projects like this are incredibly hard to come by and help our mission to make Cornwall’s heritage accessible to everyone so much. It’s going to make such a huge difference!”
