Although this ancient hut settlement is managed by English Heritage, the sense of private discovery is overwhelming. To get here, it’s an easy walk from Chapel Carn Brea car park north-east over Tredinney Common past a very natural, gurgling holy well that marks the site of St Euny’s Chapel.

The low stone walls of the roundhouses are clearly visible, beneath a soft blanket of turf and wildflowers and the entrance to a mysterious fogou (underground structure) is also apparent. This remote and beautiful acre lies on a south-facing slope; it’s a place to linger, maybe with a picnic and a jug of local cider.

Among the best-preserved ancient villages in South West England, Carn Euny was occupied from the Iron Age until late Roman times. It includes the foundations of stone houses from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, with walls up to a metre high in places. At the heart of the village is its most intriguing feature – a stone-walled underground passage known as a fogou. This mysterious type of Iron Age monument is found only in the far west of Cornwall.

Access: The track to the village is over farmland where cattle regularly graze and can be extremely muddy in wet weather. At least two stiles have to be crossed on this route. An alternative route on foot is possible using the byway to the north west of the car park. The entrance to the site from this route is via a stone stile.

Parking: There is a small car park located a short walk away (about 600m). Access to the car park is down narrow lanes unsuitable for large coaches.

Facilities: There are various pubs and cafes located in the surrounding areas and Penzance is a 6-mile drive from the site.