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Name:Hensbarrow Downs
Hill number:19290
Height:364.6m / 1196ft
RHB Section:40: Cornwall & Devon
County/UA:Cornwall
Catchment:Minor Rivers only (South)
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Tump (300-399m)
(Ma,Hu,Tu,3)
Grid ref:SX 00135 57483
Summit feature:vegetated rock embedded in long grass
Drop:250m
Col:114.6m  SX 0873 6546  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 200
(1:25k) 106 107
Survey:Leica RX1250
Comments:Replaced 2884 Hensbarrow Beacon in Feb 2017
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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Logged Descriptions  (logged by 210 users)ByDate of Ascent
no issues encounteredmike.hartley23/02/2024
Should have done some more research on this beforehand. British Lithium have a pilot processing plant just to the NE of Hensbarrow Beacon where they have developed a patented process to produce EV battery grade lithium carbonate this year. On 29June they announced a partnership with local French miner Imerys to develop and expand production in the area. As a result the fp to the west has been closed and security in the viscinity tightened up with van patrols on the tracks. We managed to get to the trig point but no further. As a working day there was a lot of truck traffic on the roads/tracks, so next time we might try on a weekend.richard6930/08/2023
Ratboy8725/08/2023
assynt_bob04/07/2023
As per others straight up the path and then track from car parkStevooo26/06/2023
From quarry entrance to morth up quarry road then direct uphillmart079723/03/2023
Up the ROW from the parking area. At yhe gate go up LHS of fence to gate just ptheatrics trig, then through the gate, avoids all the gauze on the RGS of the fence. From the trig back to the path towards the derelict building. Trail goes to yge right through the trees and up onto the track. Followed the track up yo the left, then right up around the bend, when track stops climbing come to a big boulder with track leading diagonally left up onto the ridge. Then it's an easy ascent to the summit. On the way back followed the track around to the left at the bottom junction instead of heading towards ROW. This leads easily back to the car park.JulieB26/02/2023
Sunday walk, followed mining road from the road.G0HIO19/02/2023
Hugh Calvey04/02/2023
From the parking area to the west, we followed the RoW up to the trig on Hensbarrow Beacon (the original top). The path got increasingly gorsey before the trig but was quite passable. As others have mentioned, we then headed to the disused building nearby and followed a trail up onto the quarry track. We followed the track for a little while before climbing up to the new summit. Both coasts are easily seen from the top and so is Brown Willy. We followed the track back down. No one about as it was a Sunday, apart from a dog walker. This was the 1st of 4 hills today. Afterwards we drove to and bagged Caerloggas Downs, Helman Tor and The Beacon at Bodmin.DanTrig16/10/2022
kanderson04/10/2022
Glenford02/10/2022
chrisbien10/07/2022
CJM10/07/2022
briansv650s05/07/2022
A return visit to bag the new summit of the landscaped spoil heap. From little car park small path towards white trig. Left through second of the two field gates on Public footpath to corner of field and wooden gate. Narrow path leads to trig. Observe notch in dyke hiding quarry road as it ascends from R to L. First follow narrow path to small concrete building, then to right edge of trees & bracken to back right corner of bracken filled clearing where path goes through trees to ascend the notch to quarry road. Left, uphill, round bend, 100m sharp left of grassed over track. When steep rough slopes ease on RHS turn R and head straight up. Summit is ill-defined.Minto01/07/2022
mcallmar30/06/2022
On a walk from Higher Trezaise, taking in Hensbarrow Downs, Hensbarrow Beacon and then on to Roche Rock (which I'm a little surprised isn't on here). The top of the Downs is settling into a nice grassy top, with decent views. Still seems sad that the Beacon which was the highest point for the barrow builders is now so dwarfed by this though.thesweetcheat20/06/2022
Parked by low double gates at 002578. The grid ref is shown on a notice. I'd have been unwilling to start here on a working day, so pleased it was Su. From the top of the quarry vehicle road, we walked W on an old track about 100m, then up directly to the HP. Lots of Salix scrub and lots of orchids, generally good underfoot and never obstructed by vegetation. We crossed a few more disused tracks going round the slope,a dog walker on one of them. I guess following them W from our line would lead round towards the trig pt, which we could see way below from the HP. Interesting views of the almost post-industrial land scape. On the way down, we noted how, the other side of the fence in the access land, the vegetation was more grassland, perhaps reclaimed more recently. We had bagged the trig pt 15 yrs ago and in the end, thought visiting the new top in this most human-altered landscape an interesting and wothwhile exercise. With Pete.pwheeler12/06/2022
Got completely drenched and couldn't see a thing in the wind and rain. From the trig made way to ruined building and found faint path through trees , that's literally through trees , it's so overgrown, then up path that had turned into a stream to meet quarry road . Soon switches back then you can break off left on another smaller quarry road to get to summit area.Mark Sims17/05/2022
timbob6902/05/2022
The strangest aspect from a Marilyn that I can recollect.summitter13/04/2022
Matt05/04/2022
asbown29/03/2022
Another sunny day. Nice to go to trig with my Sister while Mum in hospital.davechaffey18/03/2022
Parked to the W then walked to the top via the trig.paulhilder21/02/2022
AlanD16/02/2022
Walked in from Roche then circumnavigated the quarryPhilipChaston04/02/2022
Trezaise - Hensbarrow Downs - Caerloggas Downs - Carluddon Pyramid - Carclaze Downs - St Austell.Mark Jackson27/01/2022
Followed fence northwards down from Hensbarrow Beacon and over a gate to join a quarry track. Uphill next on rough ground. No fence to mark edge of Access Land. Surprisingly easy walk up to the summit. Dusk. Solo.Dangerous Dave10/01/2022
Not sure about this one, seemed a bit odd walking up here passing the trig point to get to get to the top of a spoil heap.Idris16/12/2021
iainwalton29/10/2021
Well it has taken just over 20 years to trapse the few hundred yards east. Went to the trig from the parking to the west. Then made for the notch in the bank to the track. After a short zig zag it was an easy climb to the flat summit area. I wandered around in the mist for a few minutes before returning the same waygaryhoney27/10/2021
From footpath slightly west of north. Easy parking. Bits of paths and tracks and plenty of heather to the top.destaylor20/10/2021
PM26/09/2021
Finally final finally. Should've got here yesterday afternoon if I'd not spent forever snipping bush overgrowth on the path to the trig. Today its misty. No view English Marilyns re-completedvegibagger11/08/2021
arjh27/07/2021
ARC03/07/2021
Tricky16/06/2021
dave g30/05/2021
with Evelyn - visited trig point and summit plateaujd1613/05/2021
Last English Marilyn - again. Did Hensbarrow Beacon years ago. Had to come all this way just to get the disappointing new top.davefh22/04/2021
from Trezaise, via minor road S then FP east to trig and found fair route to summit with minimum gorse. With K.IanHHill19/04/2021
ketzster07/04/2021
From small parking area to W with J. Followed the somewhat overgrown & wet path to the trig point. Then aimed at the obvious notch in the bank on the spoil heap behind. Took 3 goes & a bit of a battle through the growing scrub & small trees to reach it. Then followed the quarry track round one bend & cut up straight to the top. However the actual top could be almost anywhere up there. The quarrying activity seems to be on the W of the minor road now & the landscaping of the spoil heap has been done quite sympathetically. Very little suggestion of GOML here now with a lot of Open Access land defined. Panoramic view but it's difficult to look past the quarrying unfortunately.NotReallyABagger28/09/2020
geralddavison06/09/2020
griefmiester15/07/2020
Did the old top years ago so had to try for this on my first visit to Cornwall for over 10 years. Parked up too far south on the road to west and had a real fight through bog and scrub to get to the trig. Then easy to the new top and discovered a much easier way on the way down, using the quarry roads. Typical!!!signyred13/07/2020
Summited a total of 7 times, absolutely phenomenal view from the manmade tip with a 360 degree view over a large portion of cornwall. Dartmoor is visible over 40 miles away on a clear day as well as plymouth. Roseland to the south is all visible. The lizard peninsula can be seen.FelixClayhill17/05/2020
Walked from our holiday cottage in Bugle, taking road over slag heap from B3274, which soon cuts back as a footpath at second switchback contouring round the north to the east side. Missed trig pillar on right as expected it to be above our eye-line so cut back to Marilyn summit first. There is another embedded stone 75m to WSW , which we came across on way back to trig pillar, but this one at SX 00134 57478 is clearly higher.mntainman20/01/2020
2/4 Marilyn day in Cornwall. Hensbarrow Down from the road. 3km in 40 minutes. (S)silveracorn_alan01/11/2019
Nomad Perkins25/10/2019
Lindsay M11/09/2019
From little used quarry entrance east side.Eddie10/07/2019
jabbott196808/06/2019
David S06/05/2019
As previous visitor, parked near the gates to the north then up initially on the gravel tracks before hearing straight up over the scrub to the top. Then descended westwards to visit the trig point. A relief to get this one out of the way with no GOML interference.Father Ted05/05/2019
Martyn105/05/2019
Glenysj2105/05/2019
From road to north, old access gates to Quarry. Mostly direct line to summit, and also memorial stone nearby to the man responsible for the aggregate/clay firmN.Morters28/04/2019
Alan Caine31/03/2019
From the gate to the North on the B3274, virtually straight up to the high point then down to the trig at the old Marilyn location. Being Saturday no sign of work at the clay pits.NormanW30/03/2019
The Maise27/03/2019
SteveG27/03/2019
tomandivy19/03/2019
AngusDog08/03/2019
Repeated due to new location on spoil heap above trig point. Walked in past trig point on my right, ascended gap in bank to quarry roads to reach pile of rocks on heap for shelter from wind at SX 00000 57547. Stayed on summit 50 mins, returned via mine vehicles track south of trig and shown on 25K map to car park area (SX992575). No mine vehicles or persons seen in area of summit for duration of activation - operated ham radio on summit for SOTA. I will not be returning.G4OBK (Phil)24/01/2019
Repeat but a different top, 535 miles each way. From the west, no security visible but plenty of vehicles. High cloud, mild and calm.iangalbraith06/01/2019
This was a lot more straightforward than I feared after reading some of the logs below. I parked in the little car park to the west and followed the path to the trig. A little to the right of the small building just beyond this a path leads up a short gully. This deposited me on a road. Roads and grassy tracks zigzag up all over the place and can be patiently followed but the terrain underfoot is a friendly, grassy affair so it is easy enough to cut corners.lenman03/01/2019
Followed Winterfloodians directions.Lionel Bidwell11/12/2018
Susan Bidwell11/12/2018
Eventful! Without map struggled to find the best place to start. This walk had it all, a bramble scramble, odd quarry views, deer! I was eventually escorted off by two security men in a landrover who were helpful and friendly. They guided me to the old Marilyntumpawumpa05/10/2018
From car park on road to west. Path leads along fence to mound with trig point; (path on north side of mound avoids brambles and gorse and gives access to trig point). Continue past mound to small building. 30m south a track leads up through scrub onto access roads and easy slopes to the flat summit.Winterfloodian21/09/2018
From the north, parked beside and hopped over the no entry barrier. There is a regeneration project bill board. I would never have known it was artificial.Topographer5709/08/2018
Parked on B road to north beside low double gates at SX 00225 57899. Used zig zag track to SX 00226 57779 then aimed directly for summit over vegetated earth, rocks and stones.David Gradwell01/08/2018
Quarry workings under way on west side, so parked outside double gates on B3274 to NE of summit. Followed wide quarry road NW, then turned left for 400m before turning right up smaller path. Followed this path anticlockwise until trig point appeared due west on right when we joined a bend in a quarry road. A gap in the bank gave access to the trig point, descending a short, steep bank and making my way through gorse and bracken. After visiting trig point, headed due east to gain the plateau where a faint 4x4 track led the way directly to the summit stone - a flat, vegetated feature. 70 m further is a large rock commemorating the restoration work of David Woodland. Returned heading due N and descending to the quarry road. Hot, dry day.Dartmoorman06/07/2018
Andy West05/07/2018
Used the Moorsman approach. Note the gate is 200mtrs along the ROW from the CP. Collected trig COU on the return. with Elizyanne. No issues.GmacT04/07/2018
Had heard so much about it that I was longing to see this hill. Great views of surrounding quarries, the trig point/summit below!! After a short time in the creation of the world, the sphagnum Moss is well established on Hensbarrow. Enjoyable walk.elizyanne04/07/2018
Martin6601/07/2018
govanah29/06/2018
Clach Liath22/06/2018
via trig point from 297m spot heightcjo21/06/2018
If you are climbing this hill along with the trig point, it is worthwhile bearing in mind that immediately after the trig the next 200m involve a scramble through bramble, bracken, gorse and the ascent of a short cliff face (only 20m in height). This takes longer than you might expect and is far easier done in descent on the way back. So, to reach this summit, follow the track from the car park to the west then access the quarry road through a gate after about 150m. This permits an easy walk to where the track from the trig meets it. Then head upwards across easy moorland. Take in the trig on the return journey.moorsman17/06/2018
Kiltie23/05/2018
walked from car park by masts to white trig point and onwards to the top. Very strange to see the trig so low compared to the surroundings.gettingonabit13/05/2018
In high wind and drizzle from west, with Maya in car waiting. Visited many summit rocks. Rounsfell01/05/2018
Parked to west. Revisit to go to HP. Went via trig which had been to on a previous occasion when hill was still ‘active’. Easily found way from trig up to summit plateau.PeterD23/04/2018
From gate to north - pretty much straight up and down. Early morning mist so no issue about being seen!SS13/04/2018
Nice! Parking in a disused gateway opposite the old quarry buildings at the high point of the B3274, north of the hill. Waited for the torrential downpour to stop, then hopped over the barrier. Zig-zag up the track until you see a good way up the hillside on steepish, dry, mossy grass. It looks like a proper moor, except much less boggy, and is very pleasant, with good views over the china clay works and to the sea. It's quite impressive for a reclaimed hill; the restoration seems to have worked extremely well. No signs of any security vans at any time. This approach seems to be non-controversial, as there is no working whatsoever on this side.Gill25/01/2018
GaryJones14/01/2018
Twice Brewed23/12/2017
From double gate to the N as others. Started to zig zag up the track but then just went straight up. Nobody about because it was Sunday and a bitterly strong cold wind.clivevilla12/11/2017
6/8M parked opp quarry entrance track then straight up no issues with accessrobertphillips07/11/2017
From double gate to NE. No security presence.squeegs06/11/2017
Parked at small CP to W, walked across to the TP and fought through undergrowth to quarry road on way to summit. At hairpin, saw security pick-up coming up this road. Was told by security man that this was private land, I should leave. Explained I only wanted to get to summit, concept of Marilyns. Some debate. Said I should get in his pick-up. He took me round to a different access point, and let me out to go up to summit (greater climb than from TP). He had half an hour, so, he said, no rush (I guess when he had to check in again). Then he took me on a tour of the site and back to the CP. In the end my visit was amicable. I did 7.5 km while wife was watching first half of footy match. We spent the night in CP in our camper (with tacit approval)! If you do not want to visit the TP (e.g. if you have done it before) an approach from the NE may avoid security. NB I was dropped off N of the summit for my final ascent. From TP, go left (N) to L of hairpin, to avoid being seen from road.henryfm22/10/2017
With Izzy and rosie. Parked in small car park to west. Walked up via access roads. Nipped to trig then straight up to summit. Wandered around a bit. Not sure where exact summit is. Not sure it matters anyway. There maybe higher manmade summits near by.Longwojo12/10/2017
bwm29/08/2017
interloper25/07/2017
From car park to west via trig point. Area around trig very overgrown. We were stopped by a truck driver on our way back between summit and trig point who advised that the hill was still a working site... it didn't look like it was to us. Might be better approaching from east to avoid conflict.Kate_and_Euan19/07/2017
as for gerrybowesarranc14/07/2017
Dee Rogers24/06/2017
BrianMatthews30/05/2017
Nirobi9921/05/2017
carole engel04/05/2017
Chester26/04/2017
Hm - well at least the trig looks smart in its white paint.RocksRock23/04/2017
Parked in wide gateway to NE at 002579 - Up vehicle track for 400m & then made way up hillside to summit rock. Visited the David Woodland memorial plaque (Helped with the heathland regeneration) which lies 70m East at SX 00203 57489. Second recompletion of the Marilyns of England, Wales & IoM. (PM)gerrybowes21/04/2017
As GB, reclaiming this marilyn. A 35 minute walk from the east side. No access problems as work has now finished. Nature is now developing this site with many wild flowers in bloom. Keep the conservationists away and let it regenerate itself .bolton21/04/2017
Ascent to re-defined summit.richtea504021/04/2017
Both of usTonyandsue11/04/2017
Man of Kernow109/04/2017
Man of Kernow209/04/2017
Lorna S01/04/2017
Tony Wilson27/03/2017
Walked east from small carpark on road by aerials to newly painted white trig and then over rough grass/ gorse/bramble ( growing fast) to new summit- all very flat. Embedded rock seemed to be high point. Dreek and low visibility so no views but the weather certainly meant it felt like a mountain!Denise 19/03/2017
In thick cloud via the trig pillar. Plateau summit supporting moss/grass/reed grass/liverwort/common heather/willow and gorse. A wander (or should that be wonder) around and we conclude the top of the large almost buried boulder is the high point.RichardM19/03/2017
A revisit just to make sure. It's a slag-heap with some parts vegetated. However there are some real hills as equally unattractive.Martin R17/03/2017
Parked car at twin gates to the east. Walked more or less straight to top. No access problems anymore. 465yards from road on gps. Plaque on stone 100 yards south of top.DARRENG15/03/2017
Re-completed English, Welsh and IoM marilyns. With DARRENG.andrew brown15/03/2017
Muddy car park, wellies along muddy track to trig then an indistinct path of sorts aids upward journey to summit with Iain Brown.Dugswell209/03/2017
iaindbrown09/03/2017
Crumblie205/03/2017
From small parking area near trig, straight forward up and down.rhalstead04/03/2017
From the W, small dirt car park near 297m spot height. Track goes past the trig with its fresh coat of white paint, then directly on to the higher spoil heap which has a large flat and featureless top. Small boulder embedded in grass seems to be the accepted HP, I couldn't tell as cloud down on the hill giving very low viz.jonglew21/02/2017
A preemptive strike, with Colin Crawford. On my previous visit, in 2012, I retreated when encountering machinery working on the summit area.Chris Peart16/01/2017
I travelled down for the new Hump so it made sense to revisit this one to be certain. Quite a transformation from my 2004 visitColin Crawford16/01/2017
mae226/12/2016
Left EM at 03.00 on a cold misty and ultimately wet morning. Parked in wide entrance on road to east and followed numerous paths up to the summit just as it was getting light. Very murky. With AW.Campbell Singer08/12/2016
Early morning drive down to Cornwall. Gloomy climb up at dawn to new top from the north east.Alan Whatley08/12/2016
Revisit while in the area, of the now-landscaped summit. The Beacon is a poor affair nowadays, a gorsy bump at the foot of its much larger neighbour. Looked at the impressively pointy SE summit, disappointingly only about P15m.RHW27/11/2016
Easy walkHippy7705/11/2016
alda26/10/2016
Danmawr30/07/2016
aul-fogie08/05/2016
A walk up with my 2 daughters to the summit trig and boundary stone. We went up on to the slag heap and we were surprised by how pleasant it was with short cropped grass and great views. We saw Golden Plover, Snipe, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits as well as a Kestrel hunting. This tip should be the recognised summit. There was a plaque close to the summit in memory of Roger Woodland who helped with the rewilding.isabelle04/04/2016
Stopped off on the way to Penzance. Solo. Repeated 10/04/2022 with Keith and Trefor. Previously both Keith and I had been only to TP of Hensbarrow Beacon. Previous visit was in thick mist and I had no idea how much higher the land to the east was. Good weather for this visit with views to the north and south coast.mike.hoult03/04/2016
twg2710/03/2016
Vertigo21/02/2016
danpquinn17/12/2015
Fletch08/11/2015
Fletch25/07/2015
KeithByTheC06/05/2015
doddy05/04/2015
Done with Hensbarrow BeaconFergalh12/12/2014
PeteF01/11/2014
A tough old scramble about in difficult vegetation! Misty day wondered where we had arrived and no wonder everyone goes to the coast down here!nickywood118/10/2014
Tom Mundell14/06/2014
Iona14/06/2014
The slag heap climbed w Jenx after the proper natural hilltop. At the time I heard an interview on TV with the CE of the clay works saying that when extraction finishes the spoil heaps will be used to fill in the quarried pits. Time will tell.nordicstar17/04/2014
jenx17/04/2014
Sprog15/04/2014
TONY DEALL01/04/2014
Using tracks from the westAndrewFinnimore10/09/2013
tim74713/05/2013
CreakingHiker13/05/2013
Derek_Snaith09/03/2013
Liz_N09/03/2013
Accidental ascent in heavy rain, seeking out the summit with care, thought it was the summit, but it wasn't - then.jimbloomer28/01/2013
DRS30/10/2012
thelonious26/09/2012
Nick Down115/09/2012
LizH30/06/2012
PeterAH30/06/2012
vuirich17/06/2012
softsquare11/09/2011
jnixon18/06/2011
Tony J09/04/2011
PGCE09/03/2011
Snowy day, visited this man made summit before descending to the summit near the trig. There was a small cairn on a large flattish area.Aye Jimmy22/12/2010
Geoff Briggs18/08/2010
Visited the trig area (Hensbarrow Beacon) and new top (Hensbarrow Down). Explored the top of the new summit (and GPS track confirms visited the new grid reference).RobertP16/02/2010
Climbed the spoil heap first and then descended to the trig point in early evening gloom. Top wasn't vegetated at the time and I suspect the top was still being sculpted into its current shape.Herbert Anchovy22/01/2010
AndyS31/10/2009
Jim.Fothergill30/09/2009
After visiting trig on Hensbarrow Beaconcitygent20/06/2009
lordtonult14/01/2009
Visited with Ian after bagging Hensbarrow Beacon. Still had time to do three other Cornish Marilyns on the same day.chriswatson18/11/2008
ianwatson16/11/2008
Martin R16/08/2008
Kevin Borman02/07/2008
Bagged the summit as somebody with a cross and I saw it at the time. You'd have needed to get there before Start of next Day to confirm it because the day shift were moving it about. Assuming that the new, permanent summit is a bit higher, more likely lower, maybe left a bit or right s bit. 50p says it's not where it was 19/04/2008.Eddie19/04/2008
Unstable on first ascent in 2008. Grassy and settled on top on the second visit in late 2016.mae15/03/2008
petey17/09/2007
With D192131/07/2007
Hensbarrow revisited at new location on 1st April 2017 (did wonder who was the fool!)Tony S12/04/2007
Colin Crawford31/07/2004
stevedixon10/02/2004
With: hb sb ab; Parked at quarry entrance to W by radio masts then walked to Trig Point. From here we scrambled up the waste E of trig to locate the summit somewhere about SX000573.Ian Baines03/08/2003
With: ib sb ab; Helen Baines03/08/2003
petesimpson25/03/2003
BaggerGutt08/03/2003
ChrisU01/02/2003
Man of Kernow125/03/2002
Easy walk up from trig point to highest spot on the heapsChinnockC16/02/2002
Of course Judy and I went to the highest point.GordonAdshead01/09/2000
DARRENG01/01/2000
Spoil heap overtops trig point, cairn @ 000575, track goes most of way. Track from road summit @ 992575RHW28/08/1999
hummock between clay tipsTownshend06/06/1999
chalky195313/03/1999
Clive G27/03/1997
Rob Rees22/10/1996
With Claire.MickyRoss31/03/1996
eddieh11/05/1978
Because this is a bing, not a real hill, I no longer collect marilyns or report my totals to bingsoc. However I have logged this so that I can still use hillbagging as a counter for no of natural p150s visited. This summit did not even exist when I bagged Hensbarrow Downs.fasgadhblank
Note: local information is that all the china clay tips etc re regularly patrolled by security, weekdays AND weekends to deter local children/youths from clambering around.............RocksRockblank
malcorbettblank
Berkscire874blank
JGCblank
Brunshawblank
AFD90blank
Halfdecentblank