Cornwall Heritage Trust is delighted to be part of the exciting new Mid Cornwall Moors Nature Reserve, helping to celebrate and protect one of Cornwall’s most important landscapes for wildlife, history and people.
We are especially pleased that Castle an Dinas, which Cornwall Heritage Trust has cared for since 1989, forms part of the reserve, helping connect more people with Cornwall’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
Read the full announcement from Natural England below:
The Cornwall Heritage Trust team at the top of Helman Tor for today’s Mid Cornwall Moors launch.
(Left to right: Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and President of Cornwall Heritage Trust; Dick Cole, Sites Officer; Merv Davey; Alison Davey, Trustee; and James Shipway, Ranger)
Ancient Cornish moors gain landmark National Nature Reserve status
A unique Cornish moorland landscape, shaped by thousands of years of history, becomes a National Nature Reserve.
- Over 1,100 hectares of moorland, the equivalent of 1,500 football pitches, recognised for nature recovery.
- Wild wet woodlands, heaths, moorlands, and bogs, supporting rare species, made bigger, better, and more joined up, for local people and visitors to enjoy.
Today, Wednesday 27 May, the Mid Cornwall Moors is declared the 14th site in the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves (NNR’s). It brings over 1,100 hectares of moorland together, which is more than double the size of the existing Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, which it incorporates.
The Mid Cornwall Moors form a patchwork of semi-natural habitats, including heath, moorland, mire, and woodland. The NNR sites create a network across Cornwall’s distinctive clay country between St Austell to the south, Bodmin to the east, and St Columb Major to the north.
This declaration celebrates places that have shaped Cornwall’s national story and recognises the county’s richest historical landscapes, spanning prehistoric tin streaming, Iron Age hillforts and ancient woodland. Iconic sites including Helman Tor, the Iron Age hillfort of Castle an Dinas, and Goss Moor, known locally to have been King Arthur’s favourite hunting ground, all form part of this nationally significant landscape.
The reserve combines land managed for nature and heritage by Natural England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust, the Gaia Trust and Imerys. It also includes land designated as the Mid Cornwall Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is land of exceptional ecological importance.
Home to rare habitats and species, this nature reserve includes wet ‘willow carr’ woodland, with the rare willow tit, and raised bogs with sphagnum moss, lesser butterfly orchid, royal fern and the carnivorous round-leaved sundew. Cornish moneywort, which is unique to Cornwall’s tin streaming landscape, also thrive.
Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, said:
“The declaration of the Mid Cornwall Moors as a National Nature Reserve is a powerful recognition of the landscape’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage.
“By bringing these landscapes together under one reserve, we are not only helping to restore precious habitats but also creating more opportunities for people to connect with nature, history and the unique character of Cornwall for generations to come.”
Matt Walpole, CEO of Cornwall Wildlife Trust said:
“The new Mid Cornwall Moors National Nature Reserve reflects the importance of long-term collaboration in creating bigger, better and more connected spaces for nature recovery.
“The inclusion of Helman Tor within the National Nature Reserve recognises decades of work to restore habitats and support wildlife recovery within this special landscape.
“We are already seeing the benefits of working with natural processes through conservation grazing with Longhorn cattle and Tamworth pigs, alongside pioneering wild beaver reintroductions. Helping to create more diverse and resilient habitats for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy.”
The area serves a community living in one of Cornwall’s most rurally deprived regions. The declaration will improve access to nature, create opportunities for learning and recreation, and support broader economic benefits locally.
Cathy Woolcock, CEO of Cornwall Heritage Trust said:
“The Mid Cornwall Moors National Nature Reserve (NNR) brings together a number of important land areas and celebrates both nature and the incredible time-depth of human history, ranging from hunter-gatherers in the Mesolithic through to miners and farmers in more recent centuries.
“We are pleased that Castle an Dinas is to be included within the expanded NNR, especially given its direct links to the Goss Moor and the wider landscape in Mid Cornwall.
“We look forward to collaborating with partners involved with the NNR to better connect Cornish residents and visitors to these most important places in Cornwall’s national story.”
The declaration of this National Nature Reserve reflects Natural England’s commitment to working in partnership to deliver nature recovery on a landscape scale. The King’s Series will create 25 new or expanded NNRs in honour of His Majesty the King, with five new sites announced each year until 2028.
Mark Hewson, who leads Imerys in the UK said:
“Nature restoration is central to modern mining and is built into the design and management of every pit.
“Local community involvement has been an essential element of this, and the clear message is that increased access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders is the number one priority.
“We are very proud to be working with our partners, creating this legacy for people and nature in the heart of Cornwall.”
Matt Edworthy, Director of the Gaia Trust said:
“It is fantastic for Chark Moor to be included in this new National Nature Reserve along with the other wonderful sites. All are havens for wildlife including locally and nationally rare species and require ongoing management, including careful conservation grazing by cattle and ponies.
“Sustainable management supports local graziers and businesses, and provides learning and skills development opportunities for local people”
Notes:
- National Nature Reserves, designated by Natural England, are our most important places for nature, where habitats, wildlife and geology are protected and where environmental research, access and community engagement come together through partnerships to inspire and connect people with nature and in support of nature’s recovery.
- The King’s Series of NNRs, the first of which was declared in 2023, in honour of His Majesty the King’s Coronation, is a commitment made through the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan to declare 25 new National Nature Reserves over a 5-year period in recognition of His Majesty’s longstanding passion for the natural environment. This is the most significant expansion of the NNR series in a generation.
- Castle an Dinas was recorded as a seat of the Duke of Cornwall in a Cornish language miracle play and was later owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT) has just celebrated their 40th anniversary, and they have been custodians of this important Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1989. The young Prince Charles visited the site exactly 40 years ago, as negotiations for the transfer of the monument to CHT were beginning.
- Tin streaming is an ancient Cornish mining method that extracts tin from riverbeds and valleys rather than underground. Practised since prehistoric times, it reshapes the land into boggy, waterlogged terrain which are ideal conditions for rare species.
- Conservation farming is the key management tool for managing many of these sites, and through a range of native breeds such as Belted Galloway and Longhorn cattle, support sustainable farm businesses and food production. Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Schemes supports this, along with one of only two Natural-England in-house run farms situated on site.
- Sites are grazed with Exmoor and Dartmoor ponies and the more recent introduction of Tamworth pigs, and a licenced wild beaver release on Cornwall Wildlife Trust sites. See press release: https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/wild-beavers-release-marks-new-chapter-nature-recovery-cornwall
- The Tregothnan Estate is a key landowner within the partnership, demonstrating their long-term commitment to conservation and sustainable land management in the area.
St Cleer Holy Well and Cross was filled with music, colour and celebration on Friday 8th May as the local community gathered for this year’s Well Flowering Ceremony.
Children from St Cleer Primary School played a central role in the event, processing to the well with the beautiful stained glass-inspired panel they created alongside our Education and Outreach Manager, Caroline. Inspired by the floral decorations adorning the well, the artwork looked spectacular as the sunlight shone through its vibrant designs.
If you missed it, you can now watch the event in the video below. Huge thanks to Mike Davey Photography for producing and sharing it with us.
Led by Merv Davey on the Celtic Pipes, the procession was followed by blessings in Cornish and English, storytelling, singing and traditional dancing from the children, creating a joyful celebration of this much-loved local tradition.
Artist in residence, Jeremy Sanders, also joined us on the day, capturing the atmosphere and celebrations in his own distinctive style.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a special morning and to St Cleer Primary School for all their creativity and enthusiasm.
Kindly supported by GWR.
We’re delighted to share that Cornwall Heritage Trust has been recognised at the 2026 Cornwall Heritage Awards, winning two major awards and receiving Highly Commended recognition in two further categories.
The Cornwall Heritage Awards celebrate the outstanding projects, organisations and individuals protecting and sharing Cornwall’s rich heritage.
Pictured (left to right): Hollie Ferris, Lead Ranger, Melanie, one of our Hardy Bunch Volunteers, Sophie Meyer, Engagement Officer
Winner – Leader of the Year
Huge congratulations to Hollie, our inspiring Lead Ranger, who won the Leader of the Year award in recognition of her outstanding dedication, leadership and passion for Cornwall’s heritage.
Winner – Innovation Award
Our Digital Heritage Map project won the Innovation Award for helping more people explore Cornwall’s heritage online in accessible and engaging new ways.
With particular thanks to Grace, our Marketing Officer, for all her hard work in transforming the digital map from an idea to reality.
This digital interpretation project was made possible thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Rural Prosperity Fund and GWR.
Highly Commended – Collaboration Award
Our Castilly Henge excavation project received Highly Commended recognition in the Collaboration category.
Delivered in partnership with Historic England and Cornwall Archaeological Society, the project gave nearly 1,500 people the opportunity to get hands-on with archaeology and heritage through excavations, events and community engagement activities.
With particular thanks to Sophie, our Engagement Manager, Caroline, our Education & Outreach Manager, Sarah, our Operations Manager, our Sites team, our Trustees and all of our fantastic volunteers that supported this project.
The project was a collaboration between Historic England, Cornwall Archaeological Society and Cornwall Heritage Trust and was made possible thanks to support from these organisations, plus Cornwall Archaeological Unit, The National Lottery Heritage fund and Historic England.
Highly Commended – Heritage Heroes (Larger Organisations)
Our Practical Task Officer, Richie’s Thursday Volunteer Group – affectionately known as “The Hardy Bunch” – was Highly Commended for their incredible commitment to caring for key heritage sites across West Penwith in all conditions, throughout the year.
Commenting on the award results, Cathy Woolcock, CEO, said:
“To say we’re over the moon is an understatement. These awards mean such a huge amount to us because they recognise the passion, care and hard work that so many people pour into protecting Cornwall’s heritage every day.
What makes this especially meaningful is knowing how many people these projects have connected with – from staff and volunteers caring for heritage sites in all weathers and families discovering Cornwall’s history online in new and engaging ways, to people joining us in muddy excavation trenches and uncovering the stories of our sites first-hand.
I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved. These awards are a reflection of the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners and supporters, and we simply couldn’t do this work without them.”
Hollie receiving her award at the at the Awards Ceremony at the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall, on Tuesday 19th May 2026
Our Innovation Award for our Digital Map project.
To support the charity and its expanding operations we are seeking a Full-Time Historic Sites Manager, taking the strategic lead and day-to-day management responsibility for the historic sites in our care.
Salary £36,621
Working Hours Full Time – 35 hours per week
Type of contract Fixed Term Contract for 2 Years
Place of Work Office base at Krowji, Redruth, but visiting historic sites throughout Cornwall
Application deadline Midday on Monday 15th June 2026
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Historic Sites Manager will take the strategic lead and day-to-day management responsibility for the historic sites in our care.
Working with, and leading, the sites management team they will ensure that they are well managed, heeding the delicate balance between their ecological and archaeological needs and with consideration to our wider aims around access, community engagement and education.
For a full Job Description and Application Form for this role, please visit our Vacancies page
Shortlisting will take place shortly after the deadline date and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which is expected to take place on Thursday 25th June 2026. All applications will be acknowledged and the outcome advised in due course.
To support the charity and its expanding operations we are seeking a Part-Time Finance Officer to join our finance team, taking day to day responsibility for processing transactions and supporting the wider operations team.
Salary £25,000 pro rata
Working Hours 0.6 Part Time
Type of contract Permanent
Place of Work Krowji, Redruth
Application deadline Midday on Tuesday 26th May 2026
Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, the Finance Officer is responsible for the operation of daily financial functions within Cornwall Heritage Trust’s parent and subsidiary companies, comprising accounts payable, purchasing and income control processes and payroll. The Finance Officer will perform a variety of duties, working closely with the Finance Manager and the whole team.
For a full Job Description and Application Form for this role, please visit our Vacancies page
Shortlisting will take place shortly after the deadline date and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which is expected to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026. All applications will be acknowledged and the outcome advised in due course.
A historic Grade II* listed Georgian Country House near Penzance has been gifted to Cornwall Heritage Trust, securing its long-term future and enabling its heritage to be shared with Cornish communities through greater public access.
Nancealverne, home to the Armstrong Scobell family since the 1750s, sits within more than 20 acres of parkland, including formal gardens and a small lake. Once a focal point for community events such as gymkhanas, performances and gatherings, the house has more recently served as both a family home and holiday accommodation.
The gift marks a significant moment for the charity, which protects historic places across Cornwall, and ensures that Nancealverne’s rich heritage can be preserved and shared with the public.
Cathy Woolcock, CEO of Cornwall Heritage Trust explains: “We were contacted by Kester Armstrong, the current owner of Nancealverne, last year, and were deeply moved by his family’s decision to gift the property to Cornwall Heritage Trust. This extraordinary generosity means we can protect Nancealverne’s unique history and begin once again to share it more widely, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Kester Armstrong inherited the property from his father, John Armstrong Scobell, 25 years ago. Since then, he and his wife Diana have worked tirelessly to maintain the property, parts of which are believed to date back to the Elizabethan period.
Speaking about the news, Kester Armstrong said: “Our family is delighted that the future of Nancealverne will be protected and that it will become an asset which can be enjoyed by the community in the years ahead. We have always considered ourselves to be the custodians of the house and its history. Having spent a significant part of our lives working to maintain and restore the house, its gardens and its historic contents, we are so pleased to know that it will be expertly cared for in the future by Cornwall Heritage Trust.”
Pictured: Diana and Kester Armstrong (seated) together with their three children.
Nancealverne also reflects Cornwall’s rich industrial and maritime past, with connections to mining, farming and the legal profession, as well as notable military and naval history. A number of family members were some of the earliest tin mining entrepreneurs in Cornwall in the 1700’s. Two family members fought with Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. The resulting prize money was used to fund additions and renovations to the house.
Richard Trant, Chairman of Cornwall Heritage Trust, said: “We are honoured to be entrusted with such a special property. Following the success of our 40th anniversary year, this is an exciting step forward in our continued mission to protect Cornwall’s heritage and make it accessible to more people. We are extremely grateful to the Armstrong family for their generosity and for placing their trust in us. We are committed to securing a strong and sustainable future for Nancealverne and look forward to enabling public access to the heritage and history within its walls and grounds.”
Pictured: Nancealverne House Drawing Room
Cornwall Heritage Trust plans to continue offering holiday accommodation at Nancealverne while developing longer-term plans for public access and interpretation.
Cathy Woolcock explains: “It is important that this historic house can support itself as we plan for the future. Reopening the holiday accommodation will help cover essential costs while we explore additional ways to ensure its long-term sustainability.
There will be a careful balance between opening to the public and enabling appropriate commercial activities to take place. But our priority will always be to preserve and strengthen its history and heritage.”
Pictured: Nancealverne House Reception Hall
Sophie Meyer, Engagement Manager at Cornwall Heritage Trust, added: “Nancealverne contains a remarkable collection of portraits and mementoes that tell the stories of the family who lived here for nearly 300 years. We are developing plans for an extensive archival and interpretation project and exploring how best to share the property with the public. Over the coming months we will host community consultation days and will be inviting local people to share their memories and ideas to help shape the future of this incredible place.”
The transfer of ownership is expected to be complete in May 2026.
Get involved
A series of public consultation sessions are planned for July 2026, during which community groups and members of the public will be invited and encouraged to share their memories of Nancealverne along with their ideas on how the house could be opened up.
If you would like to find out more and get involved in the conversations, please click the button below to sign up to receive our e-newsletter and you’ll be the first to hear about the consultation sessions we’re planning. We’d really love to welcome as much input as possible.
Listen to BBC Radio Cornwall interview
On Wednesday 15th April, our CEO, Cathy Woolcock, and Kester Armstrong spoke with BBC Radio Cornwall about this extraordinary gift and what it means for the future of the property.
In conversation with Emma Gill, they discuss the history of Nancealverne, the Armstrong family’s long stewardship, and our plans to carefully open up this special place for the community to enjoy.
As we begin this journey, we’re grateful for the support and interest shown so far, and we look forward to sharing more updates in the months ahead.
The students gained “an appreciation for our mining heritage and an understanding of this period in our history, as well as consolidating their learning on types of rocks from previous years.”
We’re thrilled to hear how much the children from Tregadillett Primary School benefited from their recent workshop exploring the heritage of Cornwall’s mining and minerals with our Education and Outreach Manager, Caroline.
This workshop was sponsored by Cornish Metals, and we’re hugely grateful for its support.
The children had a great time delving into Cornwall’s geology and industrial past. The big smiles really do say it all!
This is what their teachers said…
“[The] children were so engaged throughout. It was very interactive, with lots of objects to handle and ask questions about.”
“It was inclusive to all learners.”
“Caroline was engaging and knowledgeable.”
We offer a wide range of classroom-based workshops as part of our ‘Discovery Programme’, with hands-on activities that aim to bring Cornwall’s history and heritage to life. These range from prehistoric jewellery making to exploring Cornish folklore and can cater for all ages and abilities.
This workshop was sponsored by
As fuel prices continue to soar, Cornwall Heritage Trust is encouraging primary schools in Cornwall struggling with the costs of transport for heritage trips to apply for support through its School Transport Grants Scheme.
This financial support offers funding towards the costs of fuel and vehicle hire for class visits, which aim to develop awareness and appreciation of Cornish heritage and history.
The grants are available for visits to the historic sites Cornwall Heritage Trust looks after, as well as trips to any museum, ancient monument or historic place in Cornwall to learn about Cornish heritage.
Cornish Lithium is the foundation sponsor for this academic year’s grants. The mineral exploration and development company has supported the charity’s School Transport Grants Scheme for a number of years.
Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO, Cathy Woolcock, said: “It’s been over a decade since we launched this funding, and in the current economic climate, the demand has become greater than ever before. The cost of transport continues to be one of the biggest barriers to schools visiting a heritage site, with it costing, on average, around £400 for every trip they run. The feedback we get from those apply to us for grants underlines the huge impact that these experiences have on students and why it’s so important to keep funding them.””
“Our independent charity invests a significant amount in this scheme, but rising costs and demand make it a challenge to provide the level of grants that schools need. Cornish Lithium’s sponsorship, therefore, makes a huge difference and we’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.”
Zoe Carter, ESG Engagement Lead at Cornish Lithium, said: “We are pleased to be a long-term foundation sponsor of Cornwall Heritage Trust’s School Transport Grants Scheme, which continues to have a hugely positive impact on children across Cornwall. As transport costs increase, this funding has become more important than ever for schools trying to provide enriching heritage trips. Cornish Lithium is committed to supporting initiatives that benefit local communities, and our partnership with Cornwall Heritage Trust is a key part of that commitment.”
Since Cornwall Heritage Trust’s School Transport Grants Scheme was introduced in 2014, over 25,000 children have benefited from the funding, which has enabled over 600 school trips to 42 heritage sites across Cornwall to take place.
Gool Peran Lowen! / Happy St Piran’s Day!
Explore the archaeological sites associated with the name of Cornwall’s patron saint in a special St Piran’s Day edition of our Cornish Story Café series.
In this talk, Cornwall Heritage Trust Sites Officer and Chair of the St Piran Trust, Dick Cole, explores the archaeological sites in the parish of Perranzabuloe associated with St Piran’s name, including St Piran’s Oratory and the nearby ruined second church.
Discover their importance to Cornish identity as well as the findings of the excavations carried out at the two sites, the ongoing work to protect and conserve the remains of the buildings, and the nature of the archaeological remains across the wider area.
Dick worked for the Cornwall Archaeological Unit for over 15 years and is now the Sites Officer for the Cornwall Heritage Trust. He has carried out numerous archaeological projects across Cornwall, which included the excavation of the Second Church in Perranzabuloe Parish in 2005.
He is chair of the St Piran Trust, which looks after the Oratory and the medieval church. He is also involved with other heritage and cultural bodies, including the Indian Queens Pit charity.
Thank you to Dick for sharing his expertise in this fascinating talk, to Perranporth Memorial Hall for hosting us and to everyone who came along!
The latest session in our heritage skills training and education project saw participants learn how to cut and lay a hedge with Jeremy Weiss, a traditional rural services and training specialist.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this training day, which took place at Duloe Stone Circle!
The workshop was part of a wide-ranging heritage skills training and education project, which has been made possible by a grant of £10,000 from Cornwall Community Foundation through the Tanner Phoenix Trust.
Jeremy is an experienced instructor having taught courses for the National Trust, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Devon Rural Skills Trust and for his own business, ‘Proper Edges’. He has a first-class honours degree in Environmental Science and a very keen interest in ecology, conservation and traditional countryside management.
During this workshop, attendees learnt about the proper care of hand tools, tool sharpening, safety considerations, cutting and laying the hedge, and securing the hedge using natural crooks.
They also discussed alternatives to hedge laying, restoring badly neglected hedges, the cultural, historical and environmental importance of hedges, the hedge as a resource, and the use of brash to make biochar.
About the funder
Cornwall Community Foundation helps people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by awarding small grants to grassroots organisations that are working to overcome the challenges of disadvantage, exclusion and poverty in their communities.
Find out more at www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com
Cornwall Heritage Trust has experienced rapid but strategic growth over the last five years and, having just celebrated our 40th anniversary, we are about to set a strategic plan which builds on this growth while ensuring that the charity is financially sustainable and resilient for a further 40 years.
We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join the team and work with us to ensure reliable and accurate financial record-keeping as well as coming up with innovative and creative solutions to help to build income generation. That’s where you come in!
Salary £40,000 – £45,000 per annum FTE pro rata
Working Hours 3 days per week, negotiable but preferably would include a Friday
Type of contract Permanent
Place of Work Krowji, Redruth
Application deadline Midday on Monday 2nd March 2026
We are looking for someone with a proven track record of working within financial management in the charity sector to be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the charity and to provide a steer on the strategy moving forwards.
This will include production of regular management information and draft annual financial accounts, oversight of key operations such as payroll and VAT as well as supporting the income generation activities of the Trust and contributing to the smooth running of the fundraising function.
To be successful within this role you will need to have the skills and expertise to be able to work independently and without constant supervision. We are looking for a self-starter with excellent attention to detail and the imagination to come up with new and innovative solutions. Outstanding people and communication skills will be required for the line management of staff, but also when presenting management information to the trustees, CEO and senior leadership team.
Working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, this role will be key to strategic and organisational development.
Finally, a great sense of humour and a willingness to help the wider team when required is essential.
It was ‘Full Steam Ahead’ for our 2026 Discovery Club Programme this week, as children joined our team to discover the pioneering Cornish inventors and engineering brilliance which fuelled the ‘Age of Steam’.
The session was led by Caroline, our Education and Outreach Manager, and Sophie, our Engagement Manager.
Understanding the role Cornish inventor and engineer Richard Trevithick had on the development of steam powered locamotives was top of the agenda.
The group then turned their attention to investigating the science behind steam, which included a fun-filled experiment to help demonstrate how these incredible engines are powered.
The workshop will be rounded off with a choice of creative challenges, including designing a commemorative railway stamp, writing a short story inspired by steam travel or designing a train for the future. They also learnt about the huge impact that the development of the railway has had on Cornwall.
This workshop was funded by GWR, and we are hugely grateful for its support.
