Kerdroya FAQs

Posted on September 28th, 2024

Kerdroya: The Cornish Landscape Labyrinth is an evolving project that celebrates Cornwall’s landscape, heritage, and the humble Cornish hedge. As we approach its public opening, there is still much to be done, from planting to ongoing development. Whether you’re planning a visit, curious about accessibility, or interested in the labyrinth’s deeper significance, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you make the most of your Kerdroya experience.

When does Kerdroya open? 

Kerdroya will be open to the public in November 2024, however work is ongoing and the site is still evolving.

Is it free?  

Yes, there is no entry fee for the actual labyrinth. However, South West Lakes Trust looks after the car park and may implement parking charges at their discretion to help maintain the labyrinth.

Is the site accessible?  

Yes, we’ve worked hard to ensure the site is accessible. There is a disabled parking area located right next to the entrance. The path around the labyrinth is flat, level, and suitable for wheelchair access. We’ve also partnered with iSightCornwall to create an audio trail for those with visual impairments.

Please note, the round trip from the start to the centre and back is about a mile, so we recommend pacing yourself and traveling only as far as you’re comfortable. Stone benches are strategically placed around the labyrinth for rest stops along the way. While the path is generally accessible, it can become a bit muddy as planting continues, so visitors using mobility scooters or wheelchairs may find it easier to visit on a dry day.

How do I get to Kerdroya? 

Kerdroya can be found at Colliford Lake, St Neot, Liskeard, PL14 6PZ. We have put together a ‘How to get to Kerdroya guide’ to help with finding the turning off from the A30. Please make sure to have a look at it, before heading on your journey. 

Is there a Kerdroya guide?  

There is a free Kerdroya Audio Tour. To download it, search for the ‘Places and Trails’ app on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and select the ‘Cornwall’ option, where you will find Kerdroya. Start the trail on arrival, and the audio trail will be triggered at the labyrinth gate. 

Is the labyrinth finished?  

Work is ongoing and the site is still evolving. Plans are in hand for an extensive planting program: Forest for Cornwall is providing us with 2,700 hawthorn whips to populate the earth bunds within the labyrinth and further trees are being planted across the wider site. 

After a pause to gather breath, our ambition will be to raise further funding to tackle those parts of the labyrinth yet to be properly stone hedged. There will, of course, be ongoing maintenance and upkeep as well. Then, we step back, let Nature have her fun and leave Kerdroya for future generations to puzzle over, appreciate and enjoy. 

If you’re interested in sponsoring more stretches of hedge, please email [email protected].

Is Kerdroya a maze?  

Kerdroya is not a ‘maze’, a puzzle with branching paths and dead ends, but rather a ‘labyrinth’, a single meandering path that leads the pilgrim to the centre and back again. It is while slowly walking this continuous path that many people find a spiritual connection or meditative state.   

What is Kerdroya all about?  

In 2019 the Cornwall National Landscape put out a call for ideas to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of the designation of Cornwall’s protected landscape. The winning proposal from Golden Tree productions was KERDROYA: a 56m diameter classical labyrinth built from traditional Cornish hedging on a disused car park in the middle of Bodmin Moor.  

What exactly is a Cornish hedge? 

Neither a ‘hedgerow’ nor a ‘dry stone wall’, the Cornish hedge is a stone-faced bank with a rammed earth core. Cornish hedges construct the characteristic field-patterns of the Cornish landscape and provide an array of critical ecological services.  

Some Cornish hedges have been scientifically dated to around 4,000 years old (the early Bronze Age) and are claimed to be amongst the oldest human-built structures in the world still in use for their original purpose. Kerdroya showcases a palette of distinctive hedge building styles – traditional responses to the diverse geology of Cornwall. 

Can I buy a hedge pledge marker disk?  

There may be the possibility to buy a marker disk and sponsor the continued development of the Kerdroya project… dreckly! To register your interest, please email [email protected].  

Who funded Kerdroya? 

We are very thankful to our hedge pledgers, sponsors, and funders who have made Kerdroya a reality. A special meur ras / thank you to our sponsors: Cornwall National Landscape, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, South West Water, Cornwall Council, South West Lakes Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust, Feast Cornwall and Cornwall Rural Education & Skills Trust.