Visit - A5 Camborne and Redruth with Wheal Peevor and Portreath
A5 Camborne and Redruth with Wheal Peevor and 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 is classic Cornish Mining landscape with the highest concentration of historic mining sites anywhere in the world’.
Places to visit
At the very heart of the World Heritage Site sits the great beam engine in Taylor's engine house, originally powered by high-pressure steam boilers introduced by local engineer Richard Trevithick.
Located along the Great Flat Lode south of Camborne, King Edward Mine is an historic training mine managed and conserved by dedicated volunteers. There is a unique example of a set of Californian Stamps within the historic Cornish Tin Mill along with one of the last Cornish Round Frames in existence.
Easily accessible public trails cross the area of the Great Flat Lode south of Camborne, which contains the greatest concentration of historic Cornish-type engine houses anywhere on earth.
Kresen Kernow (‘Cornwall Centre’) is home to the world’s largest collection of documents, books, maps and photographs relating to Cornwall’s history, all stored within a state-of-the-art archive centre built in the shell of the former Redruth Brewery.
The Camborne and Redruth Mining District with Wheal Peevor and Portreath is Area A5 of the World Heritage Site.
There are plenty of places to discover ranging from urban landscapes with great stories to tell and mineral tramways trails connecting the local mining landscape with the landmark of Carn Brea never far away as you discover an area steeped in mining heritage. So, time to take the train and discover the mining heritage in and around Redruth and Camborne. If you want to explore further afield hop on the bus to the coast where you can explore a former copper port or head to Pool by bus to discover an impressive pumping engine, one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world.
Take a look at the Mining Villages Regeneration Group’s - Cornish Mining Village Trails -where you can discover walks around Camborne, Redruth and Carn Brea - https://cornwalltrails.net/. You can also find walks around the former copper port of Portreath, just a bus ride away from Redruth railway station – look out for the 49 bus outside the station.
Visit East Pool Mine and discover the story of the mine and its impressive Cornish beam engine. You can get there from Redruth railway station by hopping on The Tinner bus and alight at Morrisons in Pool. Visits to East Pool Mine are by guided tours only and advanced booking is recommended to guarantee admission - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/east-pool-mine
The Great Flat Lode trail is always a favourite, just one of the ever popular Mineral Tramways Trails with lots of options to explore this outstanding mining landscape with great places for you to discover - https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/countryside/cycle-routes-and-trails/the-mineral-tramways/.
Don’t forget to leave yourself plenty of time to visit King Edward Mine - https://www.kingedwardmine.co.uk/
