Levant Mine, Cornwall

Since retiring we have spent quite a lot of our new free time wandering around some of the many stately homes and gardens that are to be found all around the country. I have not been a great one for mechanical things, and have generally preferred to ignore steam fairs, motor shows and the like, never really being able to get excited by gleaming metal, piston rods and spurts of smoke and steam.

Back in the Spring whilst holidaying in Cornwall we decided that we would have a look at some of our industrial heritage and so set off to visit Levant Mine near to St. Just, perhaps one of the most famous of the many tin mines. Although renowned for tin production, actually most of the production was copper, tin appearing towards the end of its life. Although many of the buildings are now in ruins, careful restoration by the National Trust of some of them helps to give a clear indication of how impressive the mine was in its prime. And the scenery along the coast is stunning.

We joined a guided tour and I have to admit that I found the guide's enthusiasm for his subject quite infectious and did actually enjoy the moment when we went into the engine house to see the restored beam engine come to life. What was really interesting was the constant stream of facts relating to the lives of the miners in bygone days which really bring home the need for some of the Health and Safety matters that we sometimes find so irksome in our lives today. The excellent Levant Mine web site gives much more information.

Click here for more views from the visit.