The scenery alone of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site is breathtaking, with its rugged hills and craggy coasts. But the widespread remains of the region’s long tin mining traditions make for something extra special.
During the Industrial Revolution, mining innovations pioneered in Cornwall spread around the World. Work in the mines in the 18th and 19th Centuries was bleak, and the effect on the countryside was often bleaker.
Yet the romance of time has transformed the grim mining ruins into enchanting locations with a historical legacy worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status.
The remains of the Wheal Coates tin mine lie on the north coast of Cornwall, within the St. Agnes Mining District, one of 10 districts defined within the World Heritage Area.
Whim engine houses and stack at Wheal Coates
Stamps and Whim engine house from 1872
Mining at Wheal Coates dates back at least as far as the Middle Ages, but all the ruins visible today come from the period 1870-1914, the last time the mine was active. Today they are preserved by the National Trust.
Stamps and Whim engine house from 1872
Stamps and Whim engine houses
Ironically, although the dramatic hillside ruins of the mine’s Towanroath Shaft engine house, perched high above plunging cliffs, is one of Cornwall’s most iconic images, the Wheal Coates mine itself was actually never really successful.
First glimpse of the Towanroath Shaft engine house
Built in 1870, the Towanroath engine house once held a steam engine that pumped water from a shaft over 600 feet below the ground, which extended far out under the sea.
Today it is a captivating testament to our industrial past, transformed into a mystical hillside spot to take a magical walk at sunset.
This post was inspired by the photo themes of Commercial or Industrial Buildings from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Hills from Ailsa of Where’s My Backpack?, Transmogrify from Michelle of The Daily Post, and Jo’s Monday Walk.
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This is Jude territory, Jaspa, so you could be in trouble, but thanks a lot 🙂
Now I’m worried!
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Those are beautiful and fascinating photos. My response to the “Hills” challenge is here:
http://maefood.blogspot.com/2016/11/hills.html
Thanks Mae! I enjoyed your unusual take.
Marvelous post for this week’s challenge. 😀 😀 Thanks for playing.
My pleasure as always, Cee!
Looks absolutely amazing! What a dramatic spot and wild landscape.
It certainly is, Inger!
grandioso..ed anche un tantino inquietante
A little unsettling?… You may be right. And Cornwall is covered in ruins like these. Particularly creepy in the fog!
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Strange how lingering evidence of such a hard life can become ‘scenery’. Often wonder whether the workers of that era ever had time to enjoy their environment.
Good point, Robert. Some how I doubt they did. And of course, today we don’t have to put up with the noise and the pollution in these ‘scenic’ areas.