From prehistory into the twentieth century, people exploited west Cornwall's downs, moors, heaths and cliffs as part of agricultural and subsistence systems, for basic resources such as fuel and building materials, as places of ceremony, belief and ritual, and as the location of industry, communications and military sites. These activities have left a rich archaeological legacy, but the activities which previously kept vegetation in check – grazing cattle and harvesting fuel and other resources – are no longer carried out. Managing the Historic Environment on West Cornwall's Rough Ground provides a broad overview of the issues and detailed advice on approaches to long-term beneficial management, applicable not only in west Cornwall but much more widely on rough ground environments.