The Rumps

The Rumps is a fortified settlement on a coastal promontory in Cornwall with three defensive banks featuring rock-cut ditches on its southern side. Natural sea cliffs form the remaining edges of this installation.

The site dates to the Iron Age and was occupied between roughly 200 and 50 BCE, with archaeological digs revealing three distinct construction phases. The layered finds show two separate occupation periods, marked by changes in building methods.

The site contains residential platforms where archaeologists found everyday objects such as spindle whorls and quern stones. These discoveries show that residents maintained trade connections with distant regions.

Access requires sturdy footwear to navigate safely across uneven ground and reduce slip hazards. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions due to the exposed coastal location.

This coastal installation belongs to fewer than 100 known examples of its type in Britain and offers rare insights into Iron Age defensive techniques. The combination of man-made banks and natural cliffs creates an unusual architectural system.

Location: St Minver Highlands

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/rumps-cornwall

GPS coordinates: 50.59279,-4.92038

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47