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The Rumps is a promontory fort located on the north Cornwall coast near Padstow, defended by a series of defensive banks and ditches that cut across the narrow headland to create an enclosed settlement area. The site dates to the Iron Age, likely within the later prehistoric period, and represents a significant example of coastal defensive architecture from this era. The fort's position on the promontory provided natural defensive advantages through steep cliffs on three sides, whilst the landward approach was fortified with multiple parallel ramparts and ditches. The Rumps demonstrates the strategic importance of Cornwall's coastline during the Iron Age and preserves important evidence of settlement patterns and defensive practices in the south-west of Britain.
Promontory fort called The Rumps is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1004625. View the official record →
The Rumps is a promontory fort located on the north Cornwall coast near Padstow, defended by a series of defensive banks and ditches that cut across the narrow headland to create an enclosed settlement area. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1004625.
Promontory fort called The Rumps is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1004625.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Churchyard cross in St Michael's churchyard, Porthilly (5.8 km), Wayside cross in the grounds of Prideaux Place 70m SSW of the house (6 km), Churchyard cross in St Petroc's churchyard, 3m south of the church (6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Promontory fort called The Rumps's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Promontory fort called The Rumps stands on Middle Devonian (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.