Halliggye Fogou

Halliggye Fogou is the largest and best-preserved of Cornwall's fogous, the mysterious stone-lined underground passages found only in the far west of the county, named from the Cornish word for cave. Built in the 5th or 4th century BC from massive stone slabs, it lay within a small farming settlement known as a round, home to perhaps four or five households and occupied for around 700 years. Nobody knows whether fogous served as stores, refuges or places of ritual. The fogou stands on the Trelowarren Estate, which manages it for English Heritage, and is reached by a signed walk of about half a mile through countryside and woodland from the estate parking. Reviewers say it is pitch dark inside, so bring a strong torch to explore the full 30 metres. Dogs on leads are welcome. Steep steps lead down to narrow, low, uneven passages, and the interior is sealed each winter while greater horseshoe bats roost.