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Name:Watch Croft [White Downs]
Hill number:2887
Height:253m / 830ft
RHB Section:40: Cornwall & Devon
County/UA:Cornwall
Catchment:Minor Rivers only (South)
Watershed:Land's End to John o' Groats, Land's End to Dover
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Tump (200-299m), Clem
(Ma,Hu,Tu,2,Cm)
Grid ref:SW 42047 35704
Summit feature:rock tor 25m SW of trig point
Drop:227m
Col:26m  SW546337  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 203
(1:25k) 102
Observations:trig point at SW 42065 35722 is 90cm lower
Survey:Abney level
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way.  Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land.
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Logged Descriptions  (logged by 317 users)ByDate of Ascent
SOTAmike.hartley23/02/2024
From Carn Galver. Followed CJM's excellent idea of returning via the cliff path.squeegs24/01/2024
Solo. CW loop up over Carn Glaver via the NNW ridge, onto Watch Croft from the saddle at SW 42690 35877. Nice trig point and rainbow seen at top. First Cornish Marilyn From NT CP SW 42105 36397.masmith01/09/2023
Parked by the old Carn Galver chimney and mine building ruins. Took the fp from a little further down the road and later turned right along another path through the bracken to the summit. Continued on the path W to the old mine workings and the bw back to the road. The garden cream tea at Rosemergy highly recommended after such a long walk. With Gillianrichard6928/08/2023
Enjoyable walk taking in the Carn Galver rock ridgesummitter13/01/2023
1.5 mile out-and-back from the car park east of Rosemergy. We followed the path marked on map, then a nice little path directly to the summit. Nice views from the top on a warm sunny October day. 123m ascent. Afterwards we drove to and bagged Trendrine Hill, Rosewall Hill and Trencrom Hill.DanTrig17/10/2022
Parked at Carn Galver Mine. S along road to path approaching summit from ENE. Left summit to W down to BW, across road to coast path, towards Bosigran cliff and back to car.CJM01/07/2022
From the mine cp. Easy paths to summit. Dank morning, no view.Longwojo25/05/2022
Parked near Carn Galver.Good paths all the way up,so long as you're not tempted by minor tracks through scrub and brambles.catman08/05/2022
From parking at Carn Giilver mine. Good paths all the way on a fine sunny dayclimbingkershaw03/04/2022
with Mike, then to Carn Galverjd1622/03/2022
Run from Bosigran car park. Good bouldering on carats to E.davechaffey16/03/2022
From Galva dodging the rainPhilipChaston06/02/2022
Leswidden Farm bus stop - Bartinney Downs - Boswens Common - Watch Croft - Mulfra Hill - Penzance station.Mark Jackson25/01/2022
First Marilyn of 2022! From Carn Galver with Helenapaulhilder23/01/2022
Easy walk up on footpaths from free car park at Carn Galver chimney. Solo. Section 40 Marilyns completed.Dangerous Dave11/01/2022
Easy ascent from the West having parked near Carn Galver mine.Idris16/12/2021
Good path marked Watch Croft from road leads to ruin and then houses. Path from here leads to summit Boulder and TP.Buteobuteo21/08/2021
from Carn Galver mine CP. Managed to avoid most of the Gorse till I got near to Carn Galver itself and took the wrong line.IanHHill18/04/2021
with Evelyn - keep to paths. Going through the gorse is a bad idea.jd1610/04/2021
With J during week in Cornwall. Cornwall is popular this year! Parked off road just N of Carn Galver mine. Followed good path from cattle grid, then clear path leads up R straight to summit for a good view. Decided to have a close look at the nearby standing stone by wading directly through the gorse & heather. Bad idea. Reversed the path to the rather ornate gate sitting in the middle of the moor, went through this & followed the path across the col to the Carn Galver tors. Some mild but entertaining scrambling along these & then a clear path back to the start but not before a drenching shower 200m from the car.NotReallyABagger29/09/2020
Bosullow CommonBrian4008/09/2020
My first Cornish summit! Climbed solo from the car park at the old Tin mines just east of Rosemergy. Despite sunshine in Penzance, there was thick fog covering the north coast and hills, and occasional drizzle. Warm though. Did a circuitous route initially heading southeast on the good footpath over the saddle between Carn Galver and Watch Croft. Visited two ancient monuments (Nine Maidens stone circle and Men-an-Tol stones) before returning via Bosullow and the bridleway towards Watch Croft. Leaving bridleway, I followed a faint path through gorse to the summit (which is not quite the trig point). No views due to fog. Returning to the path I had originally taken from the mines earlier in the day, I perhaps made the mistake of veering north off the ridge into some pathless and very heavily vegetated (6 foot high bracken) terrain. Luckily it wasn't far to the path.jamessteel10011/08/2020
Parked in small car park on B3306 at SW 41247 35983. Followed bridleway past derelict Morvah Hill Mine building and to back of Garden Mine Cottage before turning left up a narrower path to summit. Visited trig pillar first then logging rituals on tor to SW. Back the same way.mntainman22/01/2020
4/4 Marilyn Day in Cornwall. Watch Croft from the Car Park. Off to see Land's End after completing 4/5 of the Cornish Marilyns today. Unfortunately no view from any of them due to the low Cornish mist! (S)silveracorn_alan01/11/2019
Highest point in Penwith, geocaching event.AvidSockWearer11/08/2019
A variation on our usual walk from St Just to Gurnard's Head, via Tregeseal stone circle and Chun Quoit. Approached from the bridleway to the southwest. A beautiful summer solstice, with blue skies and long views. Very quiet up here as usual. The annoying walker's shelter that has damaged the Bronze Age summit cairn is still there but has been reduced a little in height (good). From here we dropped down to the Four Parish Stone, up to Nine Maidens then over to Bodrifty before taking the road over Treen Common to Gurnard's Head.thesweetcheat21/06/2019
Drove down from Cardiff and this was my first port of call. Parked near the old mine to the north along with quite a few bank holiday weened visitors but soon lost them as I headed up this hill. Aim for the col then there is a good path up to the peak and the trig not far from eachother.Father Ted04/05/2019
From small lay-by just west of Rosemergy. At start of path Bosullow Common...don’t follow as curing over ground to reach true summit path is thigh deep gorse and brambles around mine workings. Start by heading back along the road towards Rosemergy 200m or so to where the excellent path to/from summit goes, marked roadside by small granite stone, then National Trust marker 50m further up.N.Morters28/04/2019
From the vehicle access to Garden Mine Cottage to the SW. Then narrow path through gorse.NormanW30/03/2019
From Carpark by ChimneyAngusDog08/03/2019
From car park by ruined chimney.lenman02/01/2019
Good parking to the South at SW 415347. Walked up 'dog toilet track' to its highest point where the ruins and cottage are - from here a small, initially twisting, path leads E to the top.Isbjorn03/11/2018
From road to NW at 415362 via footpath to house. Smaller track then leads to summit. Slightly overgrown just before the top, but not a problem.Winterfloodian20/09/2018
From car park at Carn Galver Mine to N, via the farm track due SE and then unmarked footpath SW to trig. No view top in mist. Beware hill infested with ticks!!steve_a20/08/2018
Last of the seven Section 40 marilyns for the day. By head torch after underestimating the time required to get around them. Luckily the path shown on the GPS is good. Repeated in daylight the following day. Sea views on three sides. Alone on summit, what a contrast with the crowds at Land's End.Topographer5709/08/2018
Easy walk from the Basullow Common bridleway. Plenty of Parking. The path forking off the bridleway after the bend had been recently strimmed. No views today as very very wet and cloudy. Pity as the rest of the country was basking in the sun. With elizyanneGmacT04/07/2018
Due to the rain - no view whatsoever! Every where else had sunshine.elizyanne04/07/2018
From Carn Galver tin mineClach Liath23/06/2018
walk up small path to house on upper slopes by old mine building. then minor trail to summit trig pillar and rocky torcjo19/06/2018
stone chats and a cuckoo. easy walk up track then rough footpath to trig.gettingonabit10/05/2018
With Maya on sunny, windy day as loop with coastal walk. Tors included. Rounsfell02/05/2018
Parked on Bosullow Common, 415347, opposite vehicle track/public bridleway titled Garden Mine Cottage. After 6 min take obvious footpath on right and continue along this well manicured path, gently curving left all the way to the trig point, avoiding all the gorse and heather. The rocky tor is close by the trig point. An effortless, almost flat, easy ascent with glorious views to the south as far as The Lizard, but the north coast was covered by a spectacular bank of fog.Dartmoorman20/04/2018
Up track to house then easy path to summit returning by what looked like a mountain bike track going south then south west back to track.SS13/04/2018
A very good, and easy walk from the Basullow Common bridleway. The path forking off the bridleway after the bend is very good, and leads straight to the top. Superb sea and moorland views.Gill25/01/2018
8/8M last of the day in fading light parked at entrance of track to mine cottage.robertphillips07/11/2017
Great views. Parked at Carn Galver car park, and took the decent path heading SE (leaves the road between the cattle grid and the car park). Turn right on a path that takes you to the top.dal05/11/2017
Parked by mine to North. Memories of when we used to live down here.Poolton12329/08/2017
Nice friendly cattle, and a good cream tea place 100m W of start to round off a nice wee walk! What's not to like?RocksRock22/04/2017
Both of usTonyandsue12/04/2017
From parking at ruins, good path up and down.rhalstead04/03/2017
Parked 421 364. National trust information sign in car park on the bank. Mix of sun and rain during walk. Easy walk along path up and back, very pleasant. Beautiful views back down valley out to sea.Hippy7705/11/2016
TD, C & H.This Dog21/10/2016
100th Humpmart079722/09/2016
Hopefully the path down is more obvious!Danmawr28/07/2016
My favourite SW Marilyn. Happy memories. Followed by a trip to the Tinners.jenx30/06/2016
Repeat from the north parking down at the pump house. Good path all way and fine views. Tor nr trig the high point.nordicstar30/06/2016
Great hill especially in comparison to the other 2 Marilyn's this side of Bodmin Moor. Saw my first Linnets and Willow Warblers of the year. The summit is marked by a trig and the higher rock tor close by. Think this was a good time of year to visit as the Brambles and Gorse weren't massively overgrown.isabelle08/04/2016
With Val. From the SSW following bridleway then path through gorse to summit.mike.hoult04/04/2016
From Carn Golver - excellent top on a sunny afternoonBramley13/10/2015
From Carn Golver with daughter in the slingvictimofmathema27/07/2015
along the usual track. the path through the gorse, heather and bracken starts at the point where the track turns into the farm - if only i had known this 3 years ago when an attempt from the north in shorts came to a grisly end in the gorsefield! - typically today the top was in the clouds - until i got back to the car. unlikely i will ever return, this place clearly delights in winding me up.stig_nest28/06/2015
From SW415347 like others. Nice and easy.milimana05/06/2015
KeithByTheC03/05/2015
6/7 walked up lane to entrance to cottage. track to summit starts hereFergalh12/04/2015
Parked at 418344 but walked NW up road to pick up track to Watch Croft and then the top. Continued on to Carn Galver which has great views of the bronze age fields that are still in use. Returned via the inscribed stone and through the Cornish polo mint. One of my favorite parts of the Country.mindlessflogger10/04/2015
With MikeVal Deisler04/04/2015
From the mine carpark.. took the wrong trail up to the rocky scrambles before sussing the true top - forward planning lesson learnt.SlainteJimmy24/03/2015
Small parking area at SW41531 34708 - Up bridleway towards Golden Mine Cottage for just over 500m - Took good path heading NE & then N to the summit tor. (S)gerrybowes13/03/2015
Parked at 415347 and took the track NE. At the first bend there is an obvious path on the right which takes you easily to the summit.bolton18/11/2014
Bagged hill and trig whilst out geocaching. Penwith's high point.CornishGazza01/11/2014
Second ascent. Parked by Carn Galver engine house, followed ROW to SE, then obvious path to SW to summitPeteF29/10/2014
Easy walk up from car park to northKate_and_Euan18/07/2014
Ascended from road to north. Paths slightly overgrown, but good views to both coasts from summit.quadbarrel11/07/2014
Parked to north on road by old tin works. Simple track to fork and go right to summit, just off from trig. W Jenx.nordicstar16/04/2014
Parked in the free car park at Caen Galver. Followed the right of way and then the unmarked path to the summit.Sprog16/04/2014
Used track from SSW which leads to Garden Mine Cottage. Used path through gorse from there. Most welcome stone shelter on summit where I operated ham radio for SOTA.G4OBK (Phil)04/02/2014
Accompanied G4OBK (Phil) to summit for SOTA.judy55cat04/02/2014
Easily followed route from south west near Bosullow Common. Initially along track and then path forking right when track bears left. No views to appreciate in the fog and high winds.Newton Maximus23/09/2013
From the S. Along track to house then narrow path through gorse to summit. A lovely corner of West Penwith I'd never been to before and nice to be away from crowds on the beaches and roads.AndrewFinnimore18/09/2013
Early morning walk from car park just west of old mine,west via settlements then track to remote houses and unclear path through low bracken to summit. Roe deer grazing didn't see me sat low in wind shelter. Good path north from the houses. Wrens galore and numerous whitethroats.ijpowell09/08/2013
From Carn Galver, the unmarked path leaves the track at 42438 36050 some 500 metres up it! If you take any of the earlier tracks, they just vanish into thigh deep heather, gorse & brambles. Trust me I know! Quick return down to car along path.tim74713/05/2013
.CreakingHiker13/05/2013
Quick up-and-back from free car park at Carn Galver mine in heavy, blustery showers that meant no views form top. If you go up the Carn Garver path for a few hundred metres there's a pretty clear path (unmarked on map) turning off to the summit.wheresthepath16/09/2011
Probably very nice hill but first of 8 today so an ealry get up in deep fog an drizzle - I know the coast to be lovely heregigglejon04/08/2011
with my friend dai on a particularly wet climbing trip.jonathanwilliam28/05/2011
There and back from Rosemurgy via fp in coombe to NE- a thin path with low furze from col to E (fp summit), boots useful, good access. I thought about walking to Chun Quoit (my brother says this is good) but with cloud forming on the ridge I decided to return, catch a bus to Zennor, and walk back to Rosemurgy along the coast path in the sunshine. An enjoyable day finished with a visit to Chun Quoit the tourist way; quick Marilyn bags do not do Cornwall justice.pwheeler23/04/2011
Nice walk up from old mine over frozen ground - even snow here! Summit rocks about 20m from trig.Aye Jimmy22/12/2010
Pouring, mild, soaked through, visibility @ 0.5mls.iangalbraith12/11/2010
Visited whilst setting a new geocache here. Climbed up from NT car park at Carn Galver Mine. Fairly gentle ascent, although muddy in places. Unmarked path to summit was better than expected - not at all overgrown. Fantastic views of West Penwith peninsulaDan198029/08/2010
Circular route from Rosemergy. NT has improved access since 2006.Jim T02/06/2010
R Richard Tait23/04/2010
My last English Marilyn on an afternoon of sun and blustery showers. Made a good long loop of it taking in the Nine Maidens stone circle, the hut circle and the coast path back from Zennor to Bosigran.AndyS01/11/2009
From car park to N (12:15), walked up footpath marked on map, then unwisely attempted to take shortest route SW to summit through steep bramble/gorse bush. Returned along path to join main path near highest point. Overcast but dry. dbb24/09/2009
Nice sunny day on the way up, misty and murky on the way down.Overthehilljill05/05/2009
Parked on tiny lay-by on B3306 at SW 41597 36148. Bridleway to ruined buildings then faint path to summit. Higher looking rocky tor near trig pillar.David Gradwell06/04/2009
Lovely sunny day with grand views all round. Took bridleway off B3306 to the 2 houses near the top and then found an unmarked path through the heather and gorse to the summit - excellent little walk.Herbert Anchovy24/02/2009
Fourth of the day and its still dry, warm with watery sunshine, again not a hill for shorts, good views with lots of mining activity. Second tor looks higher than trig point to me.Dugswell201/06/2008
Found path around retreat.Eddie18/04/2008
petey17/09/2007
Revisit. stonepile between two smallish tors, fine view. Among Marilyn-baggers this summit is infamously gorsy, hence I wore boots and thickish trousers - but it's painless now, with path leading from houses to W, then area evidently burnt a few years ago. Excellent bridleway from NW, with a recently-dead shrew in middle of path.RHW09/09/2007
With D192101/08/2007
Lots of brambles before the top. Would be tricky in the summer. Track from the south west helps - until you have to leave it.destaylor12/03/2007
trying to do third from the north wearing shorts and sandals proved impossible and I failed because of increasing amounts of blanket low level gorse. Got back in the car and drove round to the south side of the hill where we eventually prevailed. With Jamievegibagger02/08/2006
A fine view after the walk through the heather, gorse and bracken.M0ZZO18/09/2005
http://tomread.co.ukm1eyp26/07/2005
Highest top in Penwith and a tremendous viewpoint... just completely usurped by the 4m lower Carn Galver next to it, which is a dramatic rocky ridge with plenty of scrambling fun. First did them both on a high level walk from St Ives to Cape Cornwall but have since only bothered with Carn Galver.Jake99426/07/2004
Parked at Galver Mine before heading up the hillside to the summit, gorse and brambles were a problem. yorkie28/09/2003
With: hb sb ab; Parked at SW415347 and followed track then path to the summit. Low lying gorse is a bit of a problem but most of the path was clear. The summit was nice. Good views.Ian Baines05/08/2003
With: ib sb ab; Helen Baines05/08/2003
I loved this little granite moorland even though it was trackless and raining.signyred28/07/2003
Easy family walkPeterD15/07/2002
First of several visits to the top to see the cairns and standing stone.thesweetcheat15/06/2002
Walked this hill from the south. Nice views of the north coastChinnockC17/02/2002
Annual bagging/climbing week with Darren. 5 Cornish marilyns in low cloud and drizzle- heading to nearby Bosigran for climbing in the sun next day with a big sea churning.Chris Pearson13/08/2001
Galltywenallt29/07/2001
Dropped off at toilet block on B3306. Descended to South West Cost Path and came back to road at Trevowhan. Used road to travel South East before using track to north to reach summit. Could see Isles Of Scilly from summit.garyhoney22/10/2000
Date is first visit. Notes from later...awful gorse, nice view. tk from 415347, leave tk 200m S of house @ 418353 RHW30/08/1999
Atrocious weather continued. On narrow path through stunted gorse and heather. No view - mist.arranc31/10/1998
tony and rowena and karenTownshend01/01/1998
Solo tripInvicta1417/10/1996
With Claire.MickyRoss30/03/1996
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Ratboy8724/08/2023
assynt_bob03/07/2023
Stevooo25/06/2023
David S07/04/2023
Philshills04/04/2023
The Tyke08/03/2023
Hugh Calvey27/01/2023
Nomad Perkins22/10/2022
Glenford01/10/2022
andrew brown17/08/2022
Andrew Brown 217/08/2022
briansv650s05/07/2022
mcallmar30/06/2022
timbob6902/05/2022
Matt10/04/2022
sarahk05/04/2022
Mike The Tyke06/03/2022
AlanD11/02/2022
iainwalton29/10/2021
Scott Morley 8627/10/2021
amblemark08/10/2021
arjh28/07/2021
dave g29/05/2021
ketzster07/04/2021
Mattbrolly06/12/2020
nocksta22/10/2020
geralddavison06/09/2020
poppiesrara05/09/2020
Lindsay M09/09/2019
Ben Rinnes18/07/2019
Martyn109/05/2019
Glenysj2109/05/2019
Alan Caine31/03/2019
SteveG26/03/2019
tomandivy21/03/2019
Nirobi9925/10/2018
Andy West04/07/2018
Tony J24/12/2017
beckybags23/09/2017
A Peckish23/09/2017
bwm30/08/2017
carole engel02/05/2017
Crumblie203/03/2017
TeasyChris28/02/2017
BrianMatthews12/10/2016
rogreeves27/09/2016
aul-fogie08/05/2016
Tony Wilson31/03/2016
twg2709/03/2016
interloper07/11/2015
Fletch07/11/2015
Emma and Simon10/09/2015
doddy30/04/2015
G0HIO14/04/2015
ARC27/12/2014
Mark Sims21/12/2014
nickywood119/10/2014
jamiehighton06/08/2014
Iona14/06/2014
Tom Mundell14/06/2014
Jacqdaw04/05/2014
Hillsidenick04/05/2014
jenx16/04/2014
TONY DEALL30/03/2014
Pommyjon30/11/2013
stevanio14/09/2013
davefh01/05/2013
siabod25/03/2013
Derek_Snaith09/03/2013
Liz_N09/03/2013
jimbloomer30/01/2013
DRS28/10/2012
govanah20/10/2012
tallscottishguy20/10/2012
thelonious25/09/2012
Chris Peart19/09/2012
Nick Down115/09/2012
joshua01/09/2012
mnixon01/09/2012
LizH30/06/2012
PeterAH30/06/2012
vuirich18/06/2012
Lionel Bidwell03/04/2012
Susan Bidwell03/04/2012
BigNick03/02/2012
Chalkie11/09/2011
softsquare10/09/2011
jonglew06/09/2011
MM08/08/2011
bedfordtom24/06/2011
Owen B21/06/2011
m0tub10/06/2011
PGCE09/03/2011
Cookwah17/09/2010
GWR Chris29/08/2010
interloper25/07/2010
parlick12/04/2010
johnabutler221/02/2010
RobertP16/02/2010
nicolajane15/12/2009
Lawbringer03/10/2009
Jim.Fothergill30/09/2009
citygent18/06/2009
asbown14/06/2009
Moorponder17/04/2009
jondudley16/04/2009
Edwin Gradwell06/04/2009
George Gradwell06/04/2009
timbob6929/03/2009
theczernobog25/01/2009
chriswatson18/11/2008
ianwatson16/11/2008
clivevilla28/10/2008
Dusty17/09/2008
Martin R16/08/2008
Kevin Borman03/07/2008
andrew brown24/05/2008
ian brown24/05/2008
kath smith24/05/2008
mae15/03/2008
stevedixon18/01/2008
richtea504030/11/2007
Alan Whatley21/10/2007
PeteN18/10/2007
PM05/07/2007
dgresty24/06/2007
BobHancock05/05/2007
Tony S13/04/2007
Lorna S13/04/2007
CXB02/04/2007
stevent080908/12/2006
pineapple22/11/2006
DARRENG14/08/2006
Kiltie01/08/2006
danpquinn24/07/2006
Campbell Singer28/05/2006
Barbara Singer28/05/2006
philhythe23/04/2006
chrisbien14/05/2005
peterstanding06/12/2004
iaindbrown15/11/2004
john steel13/10/2004
Colin Crawford31/07/2004
Minto23/05/2004
crowberry gully19/05/2004
David Bell19/05/2004
Chester14/04/2004
ajwxyzt01/01/2004
RichardM11/10/2003
Denise 11/10/2003
hmt100001/10/2003
kanderson27/09/2003
lordtonult17/06/2003
broctonowl25/05/2003
Jon F14/04/2003
petesimpson26/03/2003
BaggerGutt08/03/2003
ChrisU01/02/2003
Alison R20/05/2002
Man of Kernow127/03/2002
TheMolluscMan27/03/2002
David Rawden06/12/2001
JulieB24/09/2001
phil10124/09/2001
Tony Rogers10/08/2001
Dee Rogers10/08/2001
johnbarnard2530/07/2001
GordonAdshead00/09/2000
TheWicken01/08/2000
Tricky03/06/2000
andrew.allum01/01/2000
Halfdecent00/00/2000
Smudge01/10/1999
Adrian31/05/1999
chalky195313/03/1999
Calico11/08/1998
David Purchase28/10/1997
fasgadh01/10/1997
Clive G28/03/1997
Rob Rees23/10/1996
alda01/08/1996
GaryJones01/04/1995
Sherlock28/08/1994
IainT17/05/1994
jabbott196801/01/1990
kanderson01/01/1970
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