Bracken clearance with Cornwall Heritage Trust

Sancreed Beacon 

Perched high above the village of Sancreed near Penzance, Sancreed Beacon is a well-known landmark and area of granite upland in West Cornwall. A place intertwined with history and with awe-inspiring views over land and sea, it is somewhere that easily captures imaginations. Attracting visitors for thousands of years, its landscapes are home to Bronze Age burial mounds, chambers and huts, and revealing more recent history, old tin and copper mines too.

As well as its idyllic views and ancient relics, Sancreed is best known for its beacon. Perched atop a granite hill, this striking feature was once part of a huge chain of torches stretching across Cornwall and England. Used to signal potential threats and invasions, it was illuminated to warn of sightings of the Spanish Armada, as well as during the Napoleonic War. These days, the beacon is still used to celebrate special events, from coronations to summer solstices.

Volunteering with Cornwall Heritage Trust

Preserving the rich heritage and habitats of Sancreed Beacon, Cornwall Heritage Trust manages the area’s delicate landscapes and organises volunteer days. As a proud sponsor of Cornwall Heritage Trust, we were excited to head over and join the Trust’s ensemble of volunteers for a day of conservation. Arriving at the foot of the hill on a sunny summer morning, we were met by CHT Ranger, James, and a group of willing helpers ready to don gloves and get stuck in.

At the top of the day’s agenda, the main focus of our volunteering day with Cornwall Heritage Trust was bracken clearance. A fast-growing fern native to Britain, bracken is an instantly recognisable plant that, despite its leafy beauty, can be really problematic in wild areas. Covering the ground with thick vegetation and sowing the soil with a vast root system, it can easily proliferate and prevent the growth of other plants and flowers in heath and grassland.

As the area around Sancreed Beacon is home to a range of plant and animal species, this can create significant problems for diverse and flourishing ecosystems. And, though Sancreed is grazed by four moorland ponies to help tackle bracken growth, it’s a mammoth task that requires a lot of effort, consistency and determination. There to pick up the chalice and scythe, we learnt about the importance of allowing other species to thrive and clearing space for nature.

Bracken clearance

To begin the day, we picked up tools and supplies and walked the short distance from the roadside parking to the top of Sancreed Beacon. Here, we cast our gaze over the incredible views that unravelled over the countryside and coast and regrouped to discuss the plan of action. Leading the day, James carefully outlined what we needed to do and handed out equipment, including gloves, shears, scythes and secateurs.

Looking around, the sea of bracken and bramble was extensive, swamping the ground around the beacon as far as the eye could see. To concentrate our efforts, we focused on the immediate area around the beacon and, following our instructions, set to work. As we moved around and hacked the scrub as low to the ground as we could, we were careful to look out for vulnerable native species hidden beneath the tangled canopy and avoid accidentally damaging them.

Working under the sun, our eyes tuned into the wonderful life at our feet. Amongst the fauna, the vibrant, purple-coloured flowers of heather were a delight to see, along with the pretty pink petals of campion. The accidental disturbance of a small rock in the ground even revealed the presence of a baby slow worm. Other wildlife in the area, though elusive this day, includes ring plover, owls, buzzards, fieldmice, voles, foxes, adders and lizards.

To keep us fuelled, we tucked into homemade picnics during a well-timed pause and lunch break, complemented by cups of hot tea and saffron buns courtesy of James. Sitting atop the beacon, the views made for a phenomenal backdrop as we relaxed over our alfresco treats and drank in the scenery. Later, we were even joined by the site’s resident ponies, who were quick to check out our handiwork and take advantage of the freshly cleared spaces to graze.

By the end of the day, we had removed huge piles of bracken and moved them to designated areas to safely decompose. Open tracts were visible around the beacon, previously coated in ferns, and sprinklings of little wildflowers basked in the new wash of sunshine. The ponies had firmly rooted themselves at the top of the beacon to real photogenic effect, and as we gathered our things to head home, a proud sense of achievement was shared by all.

Taking part

The work undertaken by Cornwall Heritage Trust and volunteers is vital to protecting and preserving our ancient sites and natural habitats. Held regularly throughout the year, each event can be attended by everyone, with no experience required and all equipment and support provided. The perfect way to learn about and conserve the environment in a fun and memorable way, volunteer days make for an unmissable experience during heavenly stays in the county. If you would like to find out more and take part, take a look at Cornwall Heritage Trust’s volunteer opportunities and our beautiful hideaways in Cornwall to retreat to nearby.