Chysauster Ancient Village
Penzance, Cornwall
Nine Romano-British courtyard houses on an open Cornish hillside, quiet enough that you and your dog will often have the place to yourselves.
You can walk into people's homes here, which is rarer than it sounds. Chysauster is one of the best examples of a Romano-British village in Britain: nine stone walled courtyard houses along a village street, occupied by perhaps 50 to 70 people between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. The courtyard house is found only in west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, so this is a specifically Cornish site rather than a generic prehistoric one.
Whilst you read the rooms out of the stonework and climb to the raised platform for a view down over the whole settlement, your dog gets open Cornish hillside with long views and rough grass all around, quiet enough that you will often have it to yourselves. Visit in spring and the site is carpeted with bluebells.
Nothing official is published about dogs at this site, so treat it as open access: under close control, and leads on given the surrounding farmland and grazing. There are no facilities. The ground is uneven stone and rough grass throughout, so it is not one for a dog with mobility problems.
At a Glance
- Site Type
- Prehistoric Site
- Entry
- Free
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Telephone
- 07470 115475
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chysauster Ancient Village dog friendly?
Nothing official is published about dogs at Chysauster, so it's treated as open access — dogs are welcome, but should be kept under close control throughout. Given the surrounding farmland and grazing land, leads are strongly advisable. It's a quiet, open Cornish hillside site, and you'll often find you have the whole place to yourselves.
Are dogs allowed at Chysauster Ancient Village year round?
There's no indication of any seasonal restrictions on dogs at Chysauster. If you're planning a spring visit, it's worth knowing the site is carpeted with bluebells at that time of year — a lovely bonus for an already scenic walk.
What should I know before visiting Chysauster Ancient Village with my dog?
The ground throughout the site is uneven stone and rough grass, so it's not ideal for a dog with mobility problems. There are no facilities on site, so bring everything you need, including water for your dog. Keep leads on given the surrounding farmland, and be mindful of grazing animals in the area.
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