Cornish Metals has pledged its support to Cornwall’s landscape, traditions and communities by becoming the ‘Heritage Guardian’ of Caer Bran, a multi-period hilltop site in Penwith which contains archaeological remains from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age periods.
The Cornish mineral exploration and development company is the second organisation to join Cornwall Heritage Trust’s ‘Heritage Guardian’ Programme.
Located 5 miles west of Penzance, Caer Bran is a multi-period hill-top site which contains archaeological remains from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age periods, principally an early Bronze Age hilltop enclosure with ring cairns and an unusually unfinished Iron Age hillfort.
The massive earthworks you can see there today were probably intended to create a gathering place, a status symbol and a defendable fort. However, the work stopped before the western side was complete, and Caer Bran was abandoned.
It was purchased by our charity in 2022 and saved from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2024, thanks to our successful interventions.
It is one of 19 historic sites cared for by Cornwall Heritage Trust – an independent charity which archaeologically protects, ecologically improves and makes freely accessible Cornish heritage for everyone. It also hosts a wide-reaching programme of wellbeing, education and community workshops, activities and events at these places and provides grants enabling visits to museums and historic monuments across Cornwall.
Cornwall Heritage Trust Fundraising Officer, Antonia Mullaly, said: “Our charity has been protecting and sharing Cornwall’s historic places for the last 40 years, and the support of our ‘Heritage Guardians’ is absolutely vital in helping us continue that work for the next 40 years and many more to come.”
“We’re hugely grateful to Cornish Metals for partnering with us as part of the programme. So many Cornish heritage sites urgently need our help and their support means we can save these places, improve them and share them with Cornish communities. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Cornish Metals CEO, Don Turvey, said: “Becoming a Heritage Guardian of Caer Bran is something we’re extremely proud of. Caer Bran is an important part of Cornwall’s story, and partnering with the Cornwall Heritage Trust allows us to play a meaningful role in safeguarding this special and historic place. Protecting and celebrating Cornwall’s heritage is vital, and this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting its history, landscapes, and communities for future generations.”
