Interesting information
The walks are set in the heart of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in today’s tranquility, it’s hard to imagine the noise from over 100 mines that operated at the height of its mining boom. Tin, copper, silver-lead and arsenic were all mined here. In places, engine houses and associated buildings are well preserved; elsewhere you’ll glimpse an occasional chimney or fragment of walling emerging through the trees. Bedford Leat – the remains of the leat can be seen on the left-hand side of the walk. Built in 1828, it served a 12 meter diameter wheel for pumping, hauling and crushing at Wheal Russell. Chimney Rock – commands wonderful views from its precarious position, perched on the hillside overlooking Gunnislake. Wheal Russell – the mine is a 19th century amalgamation of smaller 18th century mines, which between 1852 and 1891 produced copper, tin and arsenic.
