Location: 

Redruth / Cambourne, Cornwall.

Operator

Absolutours, Viv Robinson Blue Badge Guide, MITG

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Join your Cornish Blue Badge Guide to stroll around part of the Great Flat Lode Trail and discover how C19th lifestyles in mining communities were shaped by the environment and changes in opportunity. When mines became uneconomic, family members left their homeland to spread across the UK and the world in search of better prospects. Due to this Cornish diaspora over 6 million people worldwide now claim Cornish ancestry.

Get up close to engine houses and unique buildings in the area with the highest concentration of historic mining sites in the world on our walk through the Camborne / Redruth Cornish Mining World Heritage site. We visit the impressive beast of an engine house at South Wheal Frances and peer down into the darkness of Marriott’s shaft, before moving across to the ‘thoroughly modern’ miners’ dry, one of many interesting buildings here.

Continuing along the route of a level tramway views of Carn Brea, topped by monument and castle, and landscapes stretching to the North coast are revealed. We imagine what it was like to live and work in the local mining community and how success or failure of the mines influenced lifestyles. On reaching Wheal Bassett we gaze across at a complex of mine buildings, uniquely preserved, mirroring those where we stand.  As an optional extra a ‘Miners lunch’ can be arranged at added cost.

The Highlights:  

• A 2 ½ hour guided walk led by local Cornish Blue Badge Guide
• Walk in the UNESCO Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
• Walking the ‘Great Flat Lode Trail’ with its greatest concentration of historic mining sites anywhere in the world.
• Use of personal radio receiver connected to Tour Guide wireless audio transmission system for improved audibility and social distancing on walk. 
• Opportunity to photograph mine buildings at close hand.
• Optional Extra – ‘Miners’ lunch’ of a pasty & pint in local pub.
• Accompanied by Blue Badge Guide with Covid safe measures in place.

Customisable Options:

• Include as part of the whole day experience on the Cornish Ancestry Tour ‘Minerals Mines and Migration’.

• Combine with a contrasting the half day walk ‘Portreath World Heritage Port ‘when public transport can be used between sites. £22 pp plus cost of optional extras based on group of 15.

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Price

 From £15 - based on group of 15 including commissions.

Group Size

Min. 2 Max 20.

Contact

Viv Robinson Blue Badge Guide, MITG

www.absolutours.co.uk
+44 (0) 7775 774083
bluebadge@absolutours.co.uk