Lescudjack Hill Fort

Lescudjack Hill fort is the name given to the unexcavated Iron Age settlement located in Penzance, Cornwall. The name probably originates from the Cornish words "lan" (enclosure) and "scosek" (shielded)- shielded enclosure [Pool, P.A.S.: "The History of the Town and Borough of Penzance", page 4. The Corporation of Penzance, 1974] . It is positioned on the summit of a steep hill in the east of Penzance and consists of a single rampart enclosing an area of three acres. The site has been damaged and contains allotments and an open area of land which has recently been cleared of thick undergrowth.

In 2004 this land was purchased by Penwith District Council and Penzance Town Council for £45,000 following a series of campaigns in the local community including a campaign conducted by the then Lescudjack Infants School (now part of the Pensans Primary School). According to Penwith District Council's website, a full archaeological survey is being conducted by Cornwall County Council's Historic Environment Service [http://www.penwith.gov.uk/index.cfm?Articleid=16733] . The site is also subject to a management plan jointly agreed by Penzance Town Council and Penwith District Council.

The site traditionally was referred to as a castle and Castle Road which runs alongside the site was named after it. There are also several roads nearby named Lescudjack, two schools have used the name and the local Sure Start is called Lescudjack. [http://www.lescudjack.org.uk/]

The hill fort was formally handed over to public use on the 21st of December 2007 as part of the Montol Festival.

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