AboutMining Heritage, East Cornwall & West Devon

The Tamar Valley is a major part of the area nominated by the UK for World Heritage Status for mining landscape and there is now a £5.8 million mining heritage development project for the valley.

Both the Cornwall and West Devon banks supplied much of the western world's tin and copper for substantial periods over the last 4,000 years and for a time during the 18th and 19th century the area was the world's greatest producer of tin, copper and arsenic. Devon Great Consols mine – near Morwellham - was once the largest copper mine in Europe.

Our unique industrial and cultural landscape survives as a tribute to one of the most rapid periods of economic, industrial and social development the UK has known. As it declined, many miners and their families emigrated, taking their expertise and labour across the world.

Tamar Valley Tourism Association extends a very warm welcome to all visitors interested in mining heritage and those who return to research their mining ancestors.

We can offer you:

• Holiday accommodation in converted mine buildings or set on land with mining archaeological remains.
  
• A visit to Morwellham Quay. This important mining port on the River Tamar is one of the principal interpretation sites for the proposed World Heritage Site. Travel underground to see mine workings. Explore the buildings and quays.
  
• Guided walks through our mining landscapes.
• River trips to view the old quays and chimneys.
• Visit the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre for local maps, documents and photographs.
• Links to Calstock archive and the West Devon record offices.

Whether visiting to trace your mining ancestry or to discover mining history, you can enjoy the stunning scenery, beauty and tranquillity of today's Tamar Valley. With a host of great places to eat, visit and things to do, and local food, arts and crafts to see and buy, you'll be spoilt for choice.

For more information please visit:

www.cornish-mining.org.uk - information about the Tamar Valley mining district, plus all the other areas throughout Cornwall and Devon that are linked together to form the World Heritage Status bid.

www.tamarvalleymining.co.uk - information about the Tamar Valley mining heritage project.

Prince of Wales accepts WHS Inscription document at Cotehele House See details