Mên-an-Tol
Archaeological Site Prehistoric Cornish holed stone and megalithic site
On moorland near Madron, Mên-an-Tol features a holed stone within a small Bronze Age arrangement; visitors come for prehistoric archaeology, coastal walks and local folklore.
Mên-an-Tol is a small megalithic monument in west Cornwall, England, comprising two upright stones with a holed stone set between them and an additional standing stone nearby. The site is generally dated to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age and is one of Cornwall’s compact prehistoric stone features.
The arrangement centres on the circular-holed stone, which has long attracted folklore and local customs; visitors often photograph or pass through the hole for traditional reasons. The group is modest in scale and sits in an open, rural setting.
Archaeological interpretation places the monument in the broader context of prehistoric Cornwall, where standing stones and stone circles were erected for ritual or territorial purposes. The surviving layout is the result of centuries of weathering and later land use.
The site lies near the village of Madron in west Cornwall, within the Penwith peninsula of southwest England.
- Distinctive element: The monument consists of three upright stones with a single circular-holed stone; the holed stone is the site's defining feature and focal point for traditions and photography.
How to Get to Mên-an-Tol #
From Penzance head northwest on A3071 toward Madron; the site is signposted from surrounding lanes and lies a short walk from a public footpath. Park in nearby laybys and follow local signage.
Tips for Visiting Mên-an-Tol #
- Visit at sunrise or sunset to see how the light slants across the stone circles-photographers prize those hours.
- The grass can be soggy; waterproof footwear is advised in cooler months.
- Respect the site: there are fragile stones and the site is on working agricultural land; follow fences and signage.
Best Time to Visit Mên-an-Tol #
Best at sunrise or sunset for dramatic light; accessible year-round but check local footpath conditions.
Weather & Climate near Mên-an-Tol #
Mên-an-Tol's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1196 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (145 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (141 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
