Geevor, Levant and Botallack.

Start. Geevor Mine.

Route. Geevor Mine - Levant Mine - Carn Vellan - Botallack Head - Botallack - Geevor Mine.

Notes. The Tin Coast, the final rocky peninsula of West Cornwall that thrusts it's self into the Atlantic Oceon, it has a distinctive character, defined by the relationship between the rugged beauty of the landscape with its rich mineral, maritime and agricultural heritage and the people who over millennia have shaped the land, making this a very special place. Around 3,000 engine houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, all ghosts now, the remains were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.

Our exploration of this unique slice of the British Isles started at Geevor Mine formally North Levant, operated between 1911 and 1990 during which time over 50.000 tons of black tin was raised to the surface. Now a museum and heritage centre well worth the admittance fee. After our visit we followed an old mine track signed Levant Mine, another tin mine open to the public, nicknamed “the mine under the sea” because levels were driven over a mile and a half under the ocean.

From the Levant Mine the main coast path ushered us south, a few yards from the mine a faint path cut off to the right passing through a man sized notch in a rather large boulder, this we followed. We could have stuck to the main trod and looked down on the utter carnage of this section of coast, far better to follow this faint trod and pick your way through it.

If you fear high, narrow paths or scrambles stick to the main path, but if you follow in our footfall I'll guarantee you'll love it. It's got everything and with the adrenalin still pumping you'll emerge above the Botallack Mine complex made famous by the BBC television series Poldark. On this occasion we turned north, leaving the Botallack Mine for another day, another walk, the main coast path safely guided us back.

view route map.

home.

The head gear of the Geevor Mine.

Descending to the Levant Mine down this narrow trod that guided Cornish tin miners to and from work for almost 200 years.

Viewing the Light House on Pendeen Watch, guarding the headland for over 100 years.

The Levant Mine.

Looking to the Levant Mine, home to a lovingly restored 18th century Beam Engine and the remains of a pump engine house.

A wonderful view along the ragged edge where the granite of the Tin Coast meets the churning waters of the Atlantic Oceon.

Our route ahead.

Sue soaks up the views, the far headland is Cape Cornwall with The Brisons just off shore.

Just round the corner from where Sue was sitting wonderful rock architecture, secret bays, mines and quarries out of shot, it's a wonderful place to wander.

Poldark country, The Crowns pump houses drained the deep levels of the Botallach Mine.

A little different from the rest, there were some clay pits near by so I am presuming, probably wrongly that this was a brick works.

Almost back, just one point to finish on, visit the Geevor Mine Cafe, for the best food in Cornwall, no joke.

back to top

back to list