Wheal Coates

Wheal Coates is a former tin mine on the north coast of Cornwall, perched on the cliff tops between Porthtowan and St Agnes. Its ruined engine houses above the Atlantic are among the most photographed relics of Cornish mining, and the site is looked after by the National Trust.

What is Wheal Coates?

It is a preserved industrial site, not a working attraction. The mine took its place in a long local tradition of tin extraction: the name appears in records as early as 1692, and large-scale working began in 1802. The ruins you see today are mostly from the later, steam-powered era of the nineteenth century.

What can you see there?

The best-known building is the engine house at Towanroath Shaft, built in 1872. Its job was to run the pump that kept water out of a shaft reaching about 600 feet (roughly 180 metres) down. It is a Grade II listed building. Two further engine houses stood nearby, one for stamping and one for winding. They were built at around the same time and handled the hoisting and crushing of the tin ore.

Because the buildings stand right on the cliff edge, the scene combines roofless stone walls, tall chimney stacks, heather and gorse, and open sea behind them. Sunset is a popular time for photographers.

When did the mine operate?

Mining here began in 1802 and continued, with interruptions, for most of the century. Sources differ on the details of the end. One account gives 1889 as the closure, followed by a short attempt to reopen the mine in the years just before the First World War. Another says the final closure came in March 1914, after only about 18 tons of black tin had been produced in the last attempt. In either version, the mine's working life ended just before the First World War.

Why is it protected?

The National Trust restored the Towanroath engine house in 1976, and the rest of the site was stabilised in 1983. Wheal Coates is also part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, which recognises the area's role in the development of industrial mining.

How do you visit?

The Trust describes a short circular coastal walk that starts at the car park and passes through the old mining buildings. The path runs along the South West Coast Path country, so it is easy to combine the visit with a longer walk towards St Agnes or Porthtowan. Stay on the paths and keep away from the cliff edge and any fenced mine workings.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Wheal Coates? On the north Cornish coast, between Porthtowan and St Agnes.

Who owns it? The National Trust preserves and maintains the site.

What was mined here? Tin. The mine is described as a former tin mine.

Which building is the most famous? The Towanroath Shaft engine house, built in 1872 and listed Grade II.

Is it a World Heritage Site? It is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.