World Tourism Day 2023
It’s #WorldTourismDay and this year the focus is on green investment and sustainable tourism. To celebrate #WTD2023 we are highlighting just a few of the fabulous destinations across the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site that you can reach by public transport and some that you can explore by foot or bike. Where will you choose to visit today?
Area 1 – Catch the train to Penzance and hop on the Tin Coaster bus to explore this coastal mining district in the far west of Cornwall. There is plenty to explore from the small town of St Just to the dramatic landscape of the ‘Tin Coast’. You can stop off at the National Trust sites at Levant Mine and the iconic mining landscape around Botallack and explore these fascinating sites. Don’t miss Geevor Tin Mine and an opportunity to discover this large, preserved, twentieth century tin mine, the last to work in this area.
Area 5 – Make your way by train or bus to Camborne and you are at one of the gateways to the Mining Trails, an opportunity to explore a network 37.5 miles (60km) of green, sustainable and traffic-free routes. It’s a great way to discover Cornwall’s mining heritage on foot or by bike. Don’t miss King Edward Mine Museum a complete training mine developed from 1897 for the world-famous Camborne School of Mines. It’s a fantastic place to discover Cornwall’s mining past.
Area 8 – Head to St Austell by train and spend a day exploring the history of the historic port of Charlestown. You can catch a bus to Charlestown and discover this exceptional place, once an important centre for copper export, the vision of Charles Rashleigh. If you are keen to learn more about Rashleigh, the mining entrepreneur who did much to shape the industrial landscape of mid Cornwall, you can enjoy the new exhibition at Wheal Martyn. This fascinating museum is a 40-minute walk or a 2 mile cycle ride from St Austell station following The Clay Trails.
Area 10 - Hop on a bus from Plymouth and explore the heart of Tavistock, a beautiful town remodelled during the nineteenth century with profits derived principally from copper mine royalties. The Gateway site at Tavistock Guildhall gives you an insight into what to look out for in and around this fascinating town. Alternatively, you can take to train from Plymouth to Gunnislake and enjoy the fabulous mining landscape of the Tamar Valley. You can then catch a bus from the Railway Station into Tavistock. You can stop off on the way at the Tamar Trails Centre and explore the impressive mining remains at Devon Great Consols.
These are just a few of many ways to explore the #cornishmining World Heritage Site. Explore our Area pages to find out more.
