Days out around St Ives Cornwall - Chysauster - Map.

This Iron Age settlement was originally occupied around 2,000 years ago - from about 100 BC to 300 AD. Nobody knows exactly when or why the village was eventually abandoned.

You can walk around the village and the remains of the stone-walled homesteads - known as 'courtyard houses' and found only in West Cornwall. The houses line a 'street' that runs up the hill, each had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number of thatched rooms.

This hillside site also has wonderful views of the Penwith countryside.

The site is run by English Heritage - who charge for admission. It is open from April to October.