King Doniert’s Stone, Cornwall

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A visit to Minions, Bodmin Moor

King Doniert’s Stone is an ancient carved stone tucked away next to the A38. Blink and you’ll miss it but if you can this intricate carving is worth stretching your legs by.

King Doniert’s Stone

If you are travelling along the A38 in Eastern Cornwall near the historic market town of Liskeard there will be many sites highlighted for your attention. From the infamous Trago Mills, to Carnglaze Caverns and the beautiful Golitha Falls.

However one small brown sign that you might miss is perhaps one of the most important to the areas Cornish history. Because between the village of St Cleer, with its large church, and the A38 which snakes through south Cornwall lies this historic stone.

King Doniert’s stone is, thought, to be a remnant of a large stone cross. There are two on the site-King Doniert’s is in front. These are the only remaining examples of 9th century stone crosses in Cornwall.

How to access King Doniert’s Stone

The small brown sign-often hidden in the lush green hedge at the side of the road-would be all too easy to miss or ignore. But if you have a chance drive slow between the village of Redgate and the turning for St Cleer and you will come across a small layby.

From this layby you can take a few short steps up and see these two great carved stones, surrounded by a traditional stone wall with far reaching views towards the sea.

Who was King Doniert?

King Doniert, for those who don’t know, was the ‘last independent King of Cornwall’. He drowned around 875AD. He ruled from what is now Liskeard, an area including Cornwall, Devon and parts of Somerset.

It is possible that he was murdered by Saxons. As he hand banded together with the Vikings unsuccessfully to try and over through Saxon rule. There were Cornish Kings after Doniert but not with the same levels of volition.

Cornish Granite Stones

These hunks of granite are reminiscent of finds all over Bodmin Moor, an area rich in history and granite! Including Trethevy Quiot (pictured) and the Hurlers Stone Circles in the nearby village of Minions. In fact if you continue on the road, past the turning to St Cleer, as you cross the cattle grid into Minions you will see Long Tom. A similar-if less ornate-carved cross.

On the Moorland near the village of Minions lie three stone circles older than Stone Henge. There is no queue to see these old rocks though. These late neolithic stone circles were here long before the village of Minions (unrelated to the small yellow characters) sprung up and they are unique.

The Hurlers Stone Circles

The Hurlers stone circles, so named because in local legend these were in fact three circles of men playing the gambling game of Hurling. But on a Sunday which angered God, so he turned them to stone. The two separate stones, known as the Pipers, were the accompanying musicians. Long Tom, a carved cross, now over the road from the circles was a man (named Tom) who tried (and failed) to escape God’s punishment.

Of course, they pre-date Christianity in the area and any settlements pre-mining and quarrying would of been further away and down the hill. Minions (so named after the Cornish word for Mining) is the highest village in Cornwall. Therefore exposed to all sorts of weather.

Why are the stones there?

However, it is interesting to know that the area of the circles is a convergence point for several lay lines. So presumably the area held some sort of real significance to the people of the time.

The rocks themselves are all Cornish granite. Some of the current stones are ‘marker stones’ where previous ones were stolen after mining in the area finished.

An interesting take on the stone circles can be seen in the recent film the Kid Who Would Be King. Here they use these rings to transport themselves from Stonehenge to Cornwall.

How to visit The Hurlers

When you visit the stone circles the best car park is on the South side of the village (closest to St Cleer). From here it is only a few minutes to The Hurlers and you will also find information boards in the car park. You can also park next to the Heritage Centre (a tall former engine house now home to a small museum of sorts). Then walk across the moors towards them.

Whether its a fine sunny day or you are caught in the clouds a visit to The Hurlers is an interesting and worthwhile experience. One were you can really get close to history without the fences and gift shops

Nearby Facilities

If all this history has you thirsty there is now a namesake King Donierts pub (a Wetherspoons) in Liskeard town centre. As well as two tearooms and a pub in the village of Minions if you have ventured that way.

If you have ventured to see the stone let us know in the comments!