Bakers Pit

Baker’s Pit is a 45-hectare nature reserve with a fascinating history and many archaeological features. These include the remains of early human settlements such as a barrow, low stony banks from a prehistoric field system, and 18 Bronze Age roundhouses, which would have provided homes for the farmers who lived here around 4,000 years ago. The site also has an Iron Age banjo enclosure, a funnel-shaped structure and the only known example in Cornwall.

From 1758 to 1942, the site was used as a clay works. Today, remnants of this industrial past can still be seen, including the clay pit, engine house, settling tanks, and several clay-drying structures. In 2000, the land was gifted to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust by Imerys, the china clay company that acquired English China Clays, former owners of the site.

Following a restoration project, Baker’s Pit now supports a mix of heathland, scrub, wet willow woodland, and areas of open water formed by flooding the disused pits. There are also small sections of pasture, which are managed by local farmers.

The reserve is an important habitat for many bird species. In summer, whitethroats and grasshopper warblers are regular visitors. Although nightjars once bred here, they are now rarely seen. Late summer, when the gorse is in bloom, brings opportunities to see scrubland birds such as stonechats, yellowhammers, dunnocks, skylarks, and linnets, some of which breed on the site.

Winter is an excellent time for spotting birds of prey, including merlins, hen harriers, and peregrine falcons. Ring ouzels are also sometimes seen during autumn migration.

A circular trail runs around Baker’s Pit. While the paths are clearly defined, the ground is uneven, and can become very muddy and slippery, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The route passes through several kissing gates and over stiles. Please note that cattle are often present during the summer and early autumn months.

There is no formal car park, but a layby on the adjacent track provides space for two or three cars.

Please note, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the reserve, but must be kept on a lead of no more than two metres in length between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds, and at all times when livestock are present.