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All the United Kingdom England Cornwall Rocky Valley Labyrinths

Rocky Valley Labyrinths

These mysterious mazes carved on the rock may be up to 4,000 years old.

Cornwall, England

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Melanie Xulu
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Offerings at the mill ruins.   Melanie Xulu / Atlas Obscura User
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One mile east of Tintagel, tucked away in the ruins of an old mill, lie the Rocky Valley labyrinth carvings. Discovered in 1948, their origins are unknown, though many who have studied the mysterious labyrinths agree they most likely date from the Bronze Age. 

Still, the story of these carvings remains a mystery, and theories surrounding their origin continue to be debated. One idea is that they may have been carved by a bored worker at the mill. During the 18th century, mazes such as these grew in popularity. The labyrinth pattern started to pop up all over the place, in architecture and gardens and other odd locations. However, the Rocky Valley labyrinths are quite unlike any other rock carvings in southern England. 

Another theory is that these labyrinths come from the Celtic culture, where they may have been a symbol of fertility or life, or maybe even used in pagan rituals. Today, the ancient sacred site is popular with neo-pagans who visit from all over the world. Many leave offerings that can be found hanging on trees and inside the cracks and crevices of the derelict mill.  

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Labyrinths Mazes Ancient Mystery Paganism Rocks Geology

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Can be reached by taking the footpath linking the B3266 to the South West Coast Path, just south of Trethevy village in Cornwall.

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Melanie Xulu

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December 26, 2018

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Rocky Valley Labyrinths
S W Coast Path
Cornwall, England
United Kingdom
50.672499, -4.73017
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Nearby Places

St. Nectan's Kieve

Cornwall, England

miles away

King Arthur's Hall

Tintagel, England

miles away

Tintagel Post Office

Tintagel, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

Nearby Places

St. Nectan's Kieve

Cornwall, England

miles away

King Arthur's Hall

Tintagel, England

miles away

Tintagel Post Office

Tintagel, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

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