Wendron Mining District - Poldark Mine

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW683316

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Poldark Mine, formerly known as Wheal Roots, lies on the B3297 at Trenear near Wendron. Located on the banks of the River Cober, the site had been used as a tin stamping mill as early as 1493. Underground mining was undertaken from about 1720 to 1780, when it was known Wheal Roots working a tin lode, now known as Wheal Roots Lode. It has, since 1972, been a mining Heritage Site and is currently a tourist attraction.

The mine worked a number of tin lodes including Main Lode, New Tin Lode, Middle Lode, and Wheal Roots Lode. There were at least five shafts on the sett, including Horse Whim Shaft, Whim Shaft, Ladderway Shaft and Adit Shaft. Wheal Roots was absorbed by the neighbouring Wendron Consols Mine, just to the northwest, in 1856.

Now that 'World Heritage' status has been achieved Cornwall in Focus will monitor developments and learn how the mines of the Wendron District fare within the overall Mining framework.

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