Poldark Mine & Heritage Complex
Cornwall has a history of tin production dating from at least 1800 BC. From the Bronze Age the County was an important producer of tin, which when mixed with copper forms the alloy bronze. Until the 14th century tin was produced from rich alluvial deposits primarily in the St. Austell and Wendron districts.
By the 1840's Cornwall was the world's largest producer of both tin and copper, supplying three quarters of the worlds needs for both metals and in addition large quantities of arsenic, lead, silver, uranium and to a lesser extent iron, tungsten, bismuth and cobalt. It was from the South Terras Mine near St. Austell that Madame Currie obtained the uranium for her experiments. With the discovery of rich deposits of minerals overseas, often worked by Cornish miners, the industry in Cornwall fell into decline in the 1860's and 70's. The last Cornish tin mine to close was South Crofty, where almost four thousand years of tin production in the County ended in 1998.
Based at Cornwall Archaeological Unit, the project is being undertaken on behalf of a Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid Partnership made up of over 60 organisations and more than 100 individuals who are experts in mining history and in managing the sites today. Remarkable advances in hard rock mining and engineering technologies during the 18th and 19th centuries transformed the landscape, economy and society of Cornwall and West Devon and placed the region at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution. These technologies quickly spread to every corner of the globe as the international migration of Cornwall and West Devon's highly skilled workforce forged distinctive cultural links between mining communities worldwide.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
10 am - 5.30 pm. Last Mine Tour 4 pm
Spring 1st April to 16th July CLOSED SATURDAYS
Summer 17th July to 31st August OPEN EVERY DAY
Autumn 1st September to 1st November CLOSED SATURDAYS
Organised groups at other times by appointment
GUIDED MINE TOUR Including SITE ENTRY
| Family: (2+2) £20.00 (2+1) |
£19.00 |
| Adult |
£8.00 |
| Child |
£5.00 |
| Senior |
£7.80 |
| Site Only |
| Adult |
£2.00 |
| Children Under 16 |
Free |
10% discount on a Family Mine Tour
EVENTS:
The Hauntings/Ghost Tours
Special Candle Lit Mine Ghost Tours
December 27th & 30th
Ghost Tours of the candle lit mine led by a paranormal investigator.
Starting at 6.00pm
****Accompanied by a team of Paranormal Investigators****
Adult: £10.00
Child: £6.00