Mineral Tramways
Like the spent veins of copper that surround them, Cornwall’s mineral tramways criss-cross the landscape of some of the most beautiful locations. From their early days, in the 19th century through to the 21st century, the mineral tramways have provided the user with the links between town, harbour and quays of central Cornwall.
The first mineral tramway was the Poldice Plateway (or Tramroad), begun in 1809. This was followed by the Redruth and Chasewater Railway, opened in 1826. The main difference between now and those early days is the number of engine houses and other mining paraphernalia one can see. The landscape, sounds and uses of the routes have changed almost beyond recognition.
The Coast to Coast Trail - 11 miles This links Portreath on the north coast with Devoran on the south coast. The Great Flat Lode Trail – 7.5 miles This takes the user through heathland, farmland and former mine sites.
The Portreath Branchline – 5.5 miles This trail links Portreath with Brea village and Penhallick Leats. It also links-up with the Great Flat Lode Trail. The Tolgus Trail – 1 mile The shortest of the trails, the Tolgus Trail connects the Coast to Coast Trail with the Tolgus Mill at Treasure Park and The Shire Horse Farm & Carriage Museum. The Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail – 7.7 miles Mainly following the route of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway, the trail is level and off road. The Tehidy Trail – 2.5 miles This trail is based on the network of trails in Tehidy Country Park, the former home of Sir Francis Basset, who was the sheriff and vice-admiral of Cornwall and MP for St.Ives. The Tresavean Trail – 1.1 miles The original line, part of the Hayle Railway, was built to serve the Tresavean Copper Mine in 1837.
Heartlands H
eartlands is the fruition of a long held community ambition to redevelop the Pool area of West Cornwall, which had been left largely untouched following the demise of the tin mining industry and closure of the mines in 1998 after nearly 400 years of activity. The site was awarded a £22.3 million grant from the Big
Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme plus money from Cornwall Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the European Union. Designed and inspired by the community itself, Heartlands will combine a unique mix of heritage, culture and the environment. Set in 19 acres of glorious park and landscaped gardens,
former mine buildings have been restored and redeveloped to create a state-of-the art exhibition space and restaurant.
New environmentally sustainable buildings on the site
provide homes, offices, art studios, galleries and areas to hire. The site provides the venue for markets, festivals, music and theatre performances. The site contains five landscaped botanical gardens, each relating to a country that the Cornish miners and their families migrated to.
Within the parkland lies the largest free adventure playground in Cornwall which was inspired by the young members of the local community who can escape the Carn Brea Giant’s trap, climb aboard a smuggler’s ship or explore an abandoned mine.
Heartlands is open to the public (from Spring 2012) and be run as a social enterprise - economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Address Heartlands, Robinson’s Shaft Dundance Lane, Pool, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3QY
www.heartlandscornwall.com
Opening times Heartlands is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. April – Sept 10.00 – 17.00 every day ast entry to Exhibitions is at 16:45.
Oct – March 10.00 – 16.00 every day Last entry to Exhibitions is at 15:45
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Gwennap,Kennall Vale and Perran Foundry G
Gwennap Pit
wennap Pit is an open-air amphitheatre, near Redruth, made famous by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The pit, possibly created by mining activities, has remarkable acoustic properties. It became a favourite preaching place of Wesley, who was taken there in 1762, describing it as “a round green hollow” and as “an amphitheatre”. He was to preach there on 18 occasions between 1762 and 1789.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries Gwennap parish was the richest copper mining district in Cornwall, and was called the “richest square mile in the Old World”. It is the location of the Great County Adit, and once famous mines such as Consolidated Mines, Poldice mine and Wheal Busy.
In 1806, in memory of Wesley, local people excavated the pit and terraced it to provide rows of seating in the form that you see here. A Whit-Monday service has been held here every year since, in recent years on the Spring Bank Holiday.
Since 1807, the pit, which is now owned by the Methodist Church, has been used for the annual Whit Monday/Spring Bank Holiday Methodist Rally. As well as worship the Pit is used for musical events,
drama, weddings - and sponsored walks. Alongside is a Visitor centre. In 2006, Gwennap Pit became part of the World Heritage Site.
Address Gwennap Pit, Busveal, St Day, Cornwall TR16 5HH Telephone 01209 822770
www.gwennappit.co.uk
Opening times Visitor Centre open June to September: Monday to Friday, 10.00 - 16.30
Saturday 10.00 – 13.00
Price Free. Donations welcome.
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