Mines to Visit in Cornwall

To those setting foot in Cornwall for the first time, one of the most striking things about the countryside is the abundance of stone smokestacks and other recognizable mining structures dotted around the landscape. The significance of the mining industry to Cornwall's history is still easy to see, and the fact that certain mining areas have recently been designated as UNESCO world heritage sites is testament to the importance of tin, copper and arsenic to the development of the western world throughout the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

What follows is a quick guide to some key mining sites to visit in Cornwall.

King Edward
King Edward Mine is located in the West Cornwall mining heartland at Pool near Camborne. The mine itself dates from the 19th Century but since becoming operated by Camborne School of Mines in 1897 has become a training mine and in more recent years a museum open to the public. Today visitors can become fully immersed in Cornish mining history via a guided tour around the preserved mill and other exhibitions detailing the development of the Mineral Tramway. The Californian stamps at King Edward are the only full size of their kind in the UK.

Levant and Geevor
Located near St Just on the West Cornwall coast, there is plenty of mining history to see at Levant and Geevor. The Beam Engine at Levant Mine is the only still-working Cornish beam engine in its original site. To see the huge water pumping machine working today is quite a sight and does well to conjure much imagining of a world literally powered by steam - and knowing that until the helping hand of a formidable group called the 'Greasy Gang' restored it to its former glory (after 60 years!), it is truly a special and unique attraction. The museum at Geevor includes original machinery and interactive activities.

Kit Hill
Par t of the joy of exploring Cornwall's mining heritage can often be found by venturing off the beaten track (though care must be taken when exploring old buildings and it is not advised to enter old shafts). Kit Hill in East Cornwall has around 400 acres (152 hectares) to explore and at its peak may well be the best viewpoint in the area. The recognisable chimney stack is a well preserved landmark and other examples of quarrying and mining are scattered across the hill.

Poldark
Poldark Mine at Wendron near Helston may well be one of the oldest in the county. Tin mining has said to have occurred at the site since prehistory up until the 1800s as picks and other evidence of pre-explosive mining has been found in the area. The heritage centre at Poldark has been in place since the 1970s and today features a comprehensive museum as well as an extensive tour and plenty of activities for youngsters.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Sam Southern writes about Cornwall self catering, hotels and places to visit in the region. For more details about staying in the area visit: http://www.killanoon.co.uk/

by: lw

Total views: 0 Word Count: 495 Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 Time: 11:15 PM - 0 comments

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