AttractionEnglish Heritage

St Breock Downs Monolith

Rosenannon, Cornwall

Cornwall's largest prehistoric standing stone on a windswept down, free and open, with short grass, wind and space for your dog.

Sixteen and three quarter tonnes of quartz-veined stone, dragged into position in the Bronze Age and standing there ever since. The St Breock Downs Monolith is Cornwall's largest and heaviest prehistoric monolith, originally five metres high, on the summit of St Breock Downs with views running across a very large part of the county. It is a single stone in a big landscape, and the scale of effort involved in raising it is the point.

Whilst you take that in, your dog gets open Cornish downland: short grass, wind, gorse and space, with the tumuli and the ridge track nearby extending it into a decent walk. It is high, exposed and usually empty.

Free and permanently open. There is a lay-by a short walk from the path leading to the monument, and that path can be wet and rutted. Nothing official is published about dogs at this site. The downs are grazed and there are ground nesting birds in the rough grass in spring and summer, so keep your dog on a lead. No facilities and no shelter.

At a Glance

Site Type: Prehistoric Site
Entry: Free
Members: Free for English Heritage members

English Heritage Membership

Planning Your Visit

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 St Breock Downs Monolith dog friendly?
St Breock Downs Monolith is a great spot to bring your dog — open Cornish downland with short grass, gorse, wind and plenty of space to roam. Nothing official is published about dogs at the site, but the downs are grazed land, so keeping your dog on a lead is the right call. The nearby tumuli and ridge track mean you can extend it into a decent walk.
Are dogs allowed at St Breock Downs Monolith year round?
The site is free and permanently open, so you can visit at any time of year. That said, the downs are grazed and support ground nesting birds in the rough grass during spring and summer, so you'll want to be especially mindful with your dog during those months and keep them on a lead.
What should I know before visiting St Breock Downs Monolith with my dog?
The site is high, exposed and usually empty, so come prepared for the weather — there's no shelter and no facilities on site. Parking is a lay-by a short walk from the monument, and the path leading up to it can be wet and rutted. Keep your dog on a lead throughout, as the land is grazed and there are ground nesting birds in the rougher grass during spring and summer.

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St Breock Downs

Rosenannon PL30 5PN

50.4791, -4.8653

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