Wendron Mining District - Wheal Reeth

OS Explorer Map 102: Grid reference SW588305

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The sett of Wheal Reeth lies near Boscreege, just to the south of Godolphin Hill and about half a mile north of Germoe in the Wendron Mining District. The sett lies adjacent to the important Great Work Mine to the east. About half a mile to the south of Wheal Reeth lies Lady Gwendolen Mine. Other mining locations nearby are the mines of Wheal Grey and Trebolence, as well as the China Clay quarries at Tresowes, Wheal Grey and the County Quarry on Tregonning Hill.

The mine worked six tin lodes. These were Wheal Reeth Lode developed by Wheal Reeth Engine Shaft, Trebullen's Underlay Shaft and Lady Gwendolen Shaft; William's Lode; Great Work Lode, developed from Rosewarne Pump Shaft (later renamed Lady Katherine Shaft); Rosewarne Lode, worked from Lady Katherine Shaft, Jordan's Pump Shaft and Engine Shaft; Wheal Boys Lode and finally the Morris Lodes worked from Lady Gwendolen Shaft.

Wheal Reeth at work between 1905 and 1913, was reopened in 1926 after the acquisition of its neighbour Lady Gwendolen Mine, with the combined mines known as Lady Gwendolen Mine. In 1933 the enlarged sett was taken over by the 'Wheal Reeth Tin Limited'. Wheal Reeth closed in 1939.

Lady Gwendolen Mine dates from 1907 producing tin. It was absorbed by Wheal Reeth in 1926. The Lady Gwendolen section abandoned in 1934, after holing into the flooded workings of Wheal Boys. The ruined buildings of a large mill complex, constructed in 1929, are still visible today.

For more information read the excellent Cornish Mines: Metalliferous and Associated Minerals, 1845-1913 (Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, 1845-1913) by Roger Burt.

For those of you with possibly a little more time to explore, once you've done 'the tourist bit', why not explore Cornwall's industrial heritage through its Tin and Copper Mines or learn more from my Cornish Bookstore