What is a fogou?

As part of the 2026 Heritage Open Days Festival , we are inviting you to join us for an exclusive free guided talk at Halliggye fogou. Roofed and walled in stone, this complex of passages is the largest and best-preserved of several mysterious underground tunnels associated with Cornish Iron Age settlements. The purpose of such ‘fogous’ – a Cornish-language word meaning cave – is unknown, but they may have been places of refuge, storage chambers or ritual shrines. Halliggye Fogou, thought to date from the 5th or 4th century BC, was once part of a small farming settlement, which was probably occupied until the end of the Roman period.

The talks will take place on Thursday 17 and Saturday 19 September at 11:00 am and will last approx 1 hour. Meeting at the car park in the Trelowarren Esatate and walking through the countryside to the fogou. If you want to explore the full 30 metres of this mysterious passage we advise you to bring a torch.

For more information on directions and accessibility please go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/halliggye-fogou/

Timings

Thursday 17 September:

1100-1200

Saturday 19 September:

1100-1200

Location & directions

Halliggye Fogou, Trelowarren Estate, Mawgan, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6AF

Contact on day:

Charlotte Willson

Telephone number:

+447823966467

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Spaces are limited so booking is essential.

Booking contact name:

Charlotte Willson

Booking telephone number:

+447823966467

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1992827133602?aff=oddtdtcreator

Alternative booking website:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/halliggye-fogou

Booking opens:

01 Jul 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

15 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Additional information

Please meet at the car park in the Trelowarren Estate, by the first interpretation panel, at 11am

Max number of people:

10

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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