A5 Camborne & Redruth with Wheal Peevor & Portreath
Kammbronn ha Resrudh gans Porthtreth
The capital of Cornish mining
Called the Capital of Cornish Mining, this was the centre of the Cornish mining industry, and home to many of its most important mines and individuals. World changing inventions were created right here.
The impressive bulk of Carn Brea – a high granite ridge with jagged outcrops and fantastic 360° vistas – frames most views of Camborne and Redruth, serving as a reminder of the geology that underpinned their rapid growth. Mining built and shaped these mining communities; the decline of the industry had, and continues to have lasting effects.
This Area features essential rail links to Portreath harbour, historic mining cottages, the Great Flat Lode, (an extensive flat-dipping mineral vein extremely rich in tin), and South Crofty, Cornwall’s last operating tin mine. Heartlands, a unique visitor attraction and the mid Cornwall gateway to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, is situated nearby and offers a wide range of events and activities all year round. King Edward Mine; the training mine for Camborne School of Mines is also close by and has an award winning museum.
It includes rugged open countryside, a lovely sandy beach, and bustling towns with the remains of its mining history ever-present.
The Camborne and Redruth Mining District became significant internationally for the pioneering technological progress made here, such as Richard Trevithick’s steam engines, William Bickford’s invention of the safety fuse, (which saved countless miners’ lives), and William Murdoch’s house, being the first in the world to be lit by gas (in 1792). A visit to East Pool Mine reveals the story of this Area and its huge achievements.
This is classic Cornish Mining landscape, with the highest concentration of historic mining sites anywhere in the world.
This is classic Cornish Mining landscape with the highest concentration of historic mining sites anywhere in the world.
East Pool Mine
King Edward Mine
Kresen Kernow
The Audio Trail guides below explore South Wheal Frances on the Great Flat Lode and introduce the principal features of this impressive site. There are also further guides available for Portreath, which is also located within this Area of the World Heritage Site.
Information sheets are also available to accompany the Audio Trail guides and please see the links to these below.
South Wheal Frances Audio Trail Delve Deeper
