The date was in the diary and off I went on wednesday, determined to learn more about our local mining history, on a visit arranged by Sylvia Lowe – the Marketing and Visitor Information ofiicer www.cornishmining.org.uk to Geevor, Levant and Botallack Mines all only 15 mins drive from Boscrowan.
On a glorious autumnal day were given a conducted tour around Geevor by Mike who although he admitted to be a bit of an ‘anorak’ was brimming with enthusiam and overflowing with information and anecdotes.
We learnt how the ore was mined, the tin extracted, the extreme conditions in which people worked and were even led through an underground minng tunnel – what an experience!
After lunch in the cafe with the most glorious panoramic views over the sea we went to Levant Mine where even the least mechanically minded of us could not fail to be impressed by the demonstration of the massive, restored steam engine in full working order – a gushing of water, a quiet swish of steam and the well oiled giant rolled into motion, stopping as smoothly as it was started. It had only just been clawed back from the scrap merchant back at the eleventh hour some years ago when the mine had finally been closed down due to the fall in tin prices.
Next on to Botallack – further back along the coastal footpath towards Lands End – to see that irresistible iconic view that many of us know so well. We walked past the recently restored tunnels built in the hillside where the arsenic was burnt off and then scraped off the walls as a solid and sold – it was even used in wallpaper by William Morris! Then down to get that view…………………
Click on the WHS widget on our Out and About page for more information on these amazing Mining sites in the St Just area of West Cornwall and if you have never visited them before then do try and fit them into your holiday plans. The conducted tours are a must and the wealth of information from the volunteers is amazing. It will be an experience that you never forget.
