Lanyon Quoit

Lanyon Quoit is the best known of the Quoits in Cornwall on the road between Madron and Morvah.

Like other monuments in the area, see Men-An-Tol, it dates back to the Bronze Age 3-4000 years ago. It is believed to be part of a burial chamber, although there is some debate as to whether these quoits were completely covered in earth or if they were exposed at one end as part of the burial ritual.

During a storm in 1815, the top or capping stone fell off and the local people raised funds to re-erect it, but in the process, one of the uprights broke, so it is now shorter that when it was first constructed, as supposedly someone on horseback used to be able to go underneath it.

What is without debate, is that like other monuments, this symbolizes the depth of history and culture that Cornwall has and we would ask visitors to enjoy and respect it.