Historic Cornish Mining and Transport

Geevor Tin Mine

The museum tells the story of mining in Cornwall and the people who lived here. In the mineral gallery you can see some of the spectacular and unusual minerals which are found underground in Cornwall. Above ground you can visit surface buildings such as the Miners’ Dry, left almost exactly as it was on that day in 1990 when the last working miner left the site.

Levant Mine & Beam Engine

Working steam-powered beam engine. Steaming again after 60 idle years. Reminder of Cornwall's industrial past. Underground tours. Winding and pumping shafts and electric winding engine also on view.

Cornish Mines & Engines, Pool, nr Redruth

Impressive beam engines and industrial heritage discovery centre. Dramatic reminder of Cornwall's mining heritage. Giant 90ft beam engines. Fascinating Industrial Discovery Centre and social history exhibition.

Wheal-Martyn China clay country park

Set in 26 acres of woodland nestling in the historic Ruddle Valley on the outskirts of St Austell, the China Clay Country Park provides a fascinating day out for all the family. The China Clay Country Park is set in the grounds of two former working China Clay Pits and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into China Clay - how it was mined, what is was used for and what it meant for the families who lived in the area.

Lappa Valley Steam Railway.
Runs on one of the oldest railway trackbeds in Cornwall. Opened in 1849 as a mineral line from Newquay to East Wheal Rose, it later became part of the Great Western Railway's Newquay to Chacewater branch line.  This was closed in 1963, and in 1974 Eric Booth, the founder of Lappa Valley, reopened part of the line  as a narrow-gauge railway.

Bodmin & Wenford Railway

This railway is Cornwall's only standard gauge railway still operated by steam locomotives and the trains run through some delightful Cornish scenery. The Railway is typical of a branch line in the 1950's.  Great Western steam tank engines are the main locomotives to be seen here but diesel traction is also used, particularly on Saturdays.

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If you are fan of steam or industrial archeology, there is a lot to see in Cornwall.