The Camborne Town Trail

Allow 90 minutes to complete

Situated in the west of Cornwall, Camborne is a medium sized town of approximately 23000 people. The population of Camborne town numbered about 2000 in 1820. With rich copper and tin deposits discovered just to the east of the town at Dolcoath and with better transportation links Camborne continued to grow. The town doubled in size to 4377 by the time of the 1841 Census, swelled by people seeking employment in the numerous mines. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the government passed several Turnpike and Highways Acts with the result being that Camborne was accessible by the Great Turnpike by 1839. The former Bakehouse Lane was extended and forms part of what is now Trelowarren Street. Over the next ten years, the further expansion of the town was undertaken in two phases. The area around Camborne church (Camborne Churchtown) was owned largely by the Bassett's of Tehidy who continued their building programme along Bassett Road, Bassett Street and South Terrace; meanwhile the area to the east was part of the Trelowarren Estate of the Vyvyan family. This is when present day streets such as Centenary Street, Trevenson Street and Carnarthen Street were built.

The Present Day

Camborne town today looks like any provincial town on the face of it. The former Holmans No.1 Works and showroom window - formerly proudly displaying the latest air compressor or rock drill is now a featureless Tesco supermarket whilst No.3 Works lies idle and derelict awaiting 'regeneration'. The former Camborne School of Mines buildings was demolished some time ago and the former site now boasts an Argos store. Why has Camborne's unique heritage been replaced by nondescript, featureless stores? Only the planners can answer that! If one takes the time to explore Camborne. Takes time to look above those shopfronts or down those side streets they will see glimpses of Camborne's past. The Camborne Town Trail leads the visitor to those places:

Start at the Camborne Library, just a few yards from the railway station. J. Passmore Edwards funded the construction of this fine building. It was designed by the reknowned Cornish architect Sylvanus Trestrail and was opened in 1895. Just in front of the library stands the statue of Richard Trevithick holding the Camborne locomotive on his granite plinth. The statue was erected in 1932 and was unveiled by Prince George. It was the work of Chelsea sculptor L.E. Merrifield. The panels displaying more of Trevithick's inventions.

Turn to face the railway station and then look left across Cross Street to the imposing building of the former Council Offices and Fire Station . Turn left again and proceed down Cross street crossing the road with care to walk down the right hand side of the street. Shortly you encounter the Masonic Hall. This 1899 building shows several notable features to the informed onlooker. The foundation stone was laid by P. Colville Smith, Grand Secretary, who also presented two of the four stained-glass windows.

Continue down Cross Street to its junction with Basset Road. Formerly known as De Dunstanville Terrace. These grand buildings housed some of Camborne's more select residents and includes the former town house of Lord de Dunstanville and Basset of Tehidy. A few yards along Basset Road lies the turretted frontage of Lanyon House.

Stop 3 on the trail is the parish Vestry and Clink found along Church Lane. Can you spot the date here? Continue into the churchyard of St. Martin and St Meriadoc, passing the war memorial and several ancient crosses. The former site of the stocks for unruly behaviour was also within the churchyard. Take time to explore the headstones as there are several of note here.

Image courtesy of http://www.cambornechurch.org.uk

Leave the church by the main exit and look right up Church Street towards the town clock. The large building that now houses the Corn Exchange, Club Euphoria and the Grill Restaurant was the former Market House. This 1867 building replaced the 1802 original and had John Francis Basset as its benefactor. Careful inspection of the front will reveal the family crest. This building has undergone many alterations over the years being a skating rink, a cinema and the Berkeley Centre in previous incarnations.

Tyacks Hotel - Tel: 01209 612424, is the next stop on the tour. Part of the St. Austell Brewery pub chain it was built in around 1780 as the 'Kings Head'. It is a Grade II listed former coaching inn and has fifteen rooms. At the turn of the century (1900) the Inn was purchased by a William Tyack whose family held the licence for almost another century - changing its name to the Tyack's Hotel in the process. Head down the small lane beside Tyacks Hotel towards Argos. This was the site of the former Camborne School of Mines. Sadly nothing now remains and even CSM itself, after several years at nearby Pool now resides at the Cornwall Tremough Campus at Penryn and is a branch of the University of Exeter - SoGAER department. Stage 8 on the trail is Trevithick's memorial plaque found part way down Tehidy Road. This is the famous Camborne Hill of Trevithick and countless rugby songs. The next stop is the fountain at Commercial Square. This fine granite fountain is topped by a lamp standard presented to the town by John Holman of Camborne Veor in 1890.

The tenth stop on the trail lies just to the right of the fountain as you look up Chapel Street. The former Literary Institute with its imposing columns is now the Donald Thomas Centre. It was built in 1842. Head up Chapel Street to the Wesley chapel - opened in 1828 and stage eleven of the trail. This fine building seats over 1300 people and is still well used today.

Return to Trelowarren Street taking time to look above the glass shop frontages to catch sight of a more prosperous past. Head right up the full length of the street passing the Old United Methodist Chapel, now a shopping arcade and the Vyvyan Arms to be awed by the imposing Centenary Wesleyan Church. This 1839 building has recently undergone renovation and is a 'must see' for any Camborne visitor.

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