Creative Constructions |
- Museum -Timeline - Mine Tour -School Questionaire -
. For further information please call Kate on 01326 573 173 extension 0 email Kate
Booking
To guarantee a Mine tour at your preferred time as much notice as possible should be given.
OPENING TIMES EDUCATIONAL GROUP GUIDED MINE TOUR PRICES |
With unique archaeological evidence of industrial activity dating from prehistoric times in the form of the Poldark Mortar Stone (A Scheduled Ancient Monument), the earliest known lease for the working of a tin stamps (1498), an eighteenth century tin mine and leases and deeds from 1800 to the present day Poldark is one of the County's most important heritage sites.
The themes being developed at Poldark are the Cornish tin industry until the 1820's and the Cornish overseas, from the first 'contract workers' to economic migration and its effects upon Cornwall and the resultant international Cornish legacy.
For a detailed explination of the mine, its unique geology and the mine tour go to The Mine - Wheal Roots
For information on the Wendron Mining District go to The Wendron Mining District
For information on the history of Poldark go to The History of the Poldark Site
For an overview of Cornwall's mining heritage go to The History of the Poldark Site
For a detailed overview of the development of steam in Cornwall go to Steam in Cornwall and follow the link.
For a detailed explination of the Poldark Mine's Geology go to Poldark Mine Geology
For information on Cornwall's World Heritage Site go to World Heritage
"One of the two most atmospheric mine tours in Europe, the other being the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poldand"
Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman, English Heritage
Poldark Mine was first worked in the 1720's and had ceased production by 1780. First opened by Tin Streamers, who had discovered the 'promising' Wheal Roots Lode, the mine was extended further under the hill where two more lodes were discovered and worked. Long forgotten the mine was rediscovered in 1974 and some areas widened to allow public access however the mine retains much of its charecter and atmospher and contains all the features of an 18th century mine.The guided tour takes you along the original Adit Level on Wheal Roots Lode, through a long Crosscut to Middle Lode and then on further into workings on Horse Whim Lode where you descend to the pump level and start to return to surface through a low incline crosscut via the Holman Chamber. The tour includes an explination of the conditions and dangers the miners endured and their methods of working. Experience a little of the conditions in which eighteenth century Cornish tin miners worked. An unforgettable experience !
All tours are guided. The Mine Tour takes approximately one hour including the safety introduction. Up to 30 visitors are taken on a tour. Where a visiting party is larger it is split into smaller groups which enter the Mine approximately 10 minutes apart.
For a detailed description of the mine tour go to - Poldark Mine
Allow a minimum of 2 hours on site.
Restrictions Poldark Mine is a genuine eighteenth century tin mine and is unsuitable for wheelchairs and those with mobility disabilities. If you have any children with disabilities please contact us for advice on whether an underground visit for them would be possible. Special weekend and evening underground visits are planned to parts of the mine for those with disabilities, please enquire for dates.
THE POLDARK MORTAR STONE WAS IN USE LONG BEFORE RECORDED HISTORY. THE POLDARK SITE, THEN KNOWN AS TRENERE STAMPS, WAS ALREADY A WORKING TIN STAMPS BEFORE COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA. POLDARK MINE, THEN KNOWN AS WHEAL ROOTS, WAS A WORKING TIN MINE BEFORE CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED AUSTRALIA
Schools Room
A room is available for school parties to use whilst on site and should be booked in advance. As part of our development of facilities for educational parties 20 minute lectures can be given on a number of subjects including:
The Cornish Overseas
Why they went, how they travelled and which countries were involved. What remains including views from Mexico, the United States, Spain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand that clearly demonstrate Cornwall's international legacy.
Cornish Mining
The reasons behind Cornwall's emergence as the world's leading mining district, the development of mining and engineering technology during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and the people involved.
Children at School and Work
Using manuscripts from a street census of Redruth an overview of where children went to school and which children were working in the second half of the nineteenth centaury.
The Poldark Heritage Museum gives an overview of: the early history of tin extraction in Cornwall; the rediscovery and exploration of the Poldark Mine; the early history of the use of explosives in Cornwall; the history and development of steam engines in the County; the Cornish overseas. The Museum is part of the free entry area.
The Wendron Mining District
Poldark is developing as the interpretation centre for the Wendron Mining District, one of Cornwall's oldest mining areas where tin was worked from prehistoric times until the twentieth century.
Other activities and facilities at Poldark
Cafeteria - full cafeteria facilities are available on site, in addition there are picnic areas for those who bring their own food.
Children's Play Area - a small children's play area is situated behind the Amusement Building.
Amusements - Included within our amusement area are Pool Tables and Air Hockey Tables. All amusements within this area are coin operated.
Woodland Garden - Cornwall Wildlife Trust manage a woodland garden area on the site designed to encourage wildlife. The area contains explanation panels, further information can be obtained from Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Craft Shops - In addition to the Poldark Mine Shop a number of craft shops selling Cornish produced goods and antiques.
Craft Workshops - Working crafts people on site include: The Poldark Wood Turners - The Poldark Pottery - The Candle Mine (Candle Makers) The Sands of Cornwall
Workshops / Interactive Activities
The following supervised workshops are available by prior booking.
Pottery Painting -
Paint your own pottery, selected from a range of ceramics, under the guidance of our Pottery Artist.
Ceramics will be glossed on completion.
Allow 20-30 minutes to collect your ceramic on completion. Minimum group of 5
Pottery Throwing
The art of throwing pottery supervised by our professional potter.
Groups of 5 take up to half-hour. (Not available out of the main season)
Candle Making
The art of making Bees Wax Candles. Safe for children the process requires only a low heat and under guidance of our candle maker. Range of colours to choose from.
Parties over 20 people please give 3 days notice
PROSPECTOR'S CORNER
Gemstone Sands
12 DIAMONDS found in 2004 !!
Gemstones are often found in alluvial deposits in river beds. Mixed in amongst or Gemsands are a selection of tumble polished semi precious gemstones - if you are lucky you may find one of the faceted gemstones which include genuine AMETHYST, GARNET, TOPAZ and ZIRCON or even a 3.5mm gem quality DIAMOND !! £2.25 per student including gem bag
Gold Panning
Gold is a heavy mineral often found in alluvial deposits and traditionally recovered using a 'Gold Pan'. Real Alluvial gold from a river in America is present in our alluvials, which come from the River Cober, together with Cassiterite, the main ore of tin and Iron Pyrite (Fools Gold). £2.25 per student
Dousing
An introduction to the ancient art of locating mineral lodes and other anomalies underground. At Poldark we have a number of mineral lodes and mine workings close to the surface that we use to demonstrate how most people have the ability to practice this art.
In addition to the above a number of specialist independent creative skills professionals are available for workshops at Poldark
For bookings and further information please contact Katie, Pam or Richard on 01326 573 173
School Questionaire - Email info@poldark-mine.co.uk for the answers
Answers to the questions can be found in the Museum and on site interpretation
1. The granite at Poldark is part of the Carnmenellis 'Pluton', the oldest granite mass in Cornwall. How old is it? 1,000 million years 520 million years 280 million years 2 million years Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
2. What was the miner's greatest enemy and at times his greatest friend ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
3. Did young girls and women work underground in Cornwall ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What colour is tin metal ?- an extra two points if you can name the ore of tin Ans…………………………………………………………………….
5. The first known lease for the Poldark site, then known as Trenear Stamps, was signed the year after Columbus discovered America. In which year was the Lease signed ? Tick one date 1066 1201 1493 1760 1815
6. Poldark is the site of the earliest known record of a TIN STAMPS. The 14 foot Water Wheel is where the original water wheel stood. What was a TIN STAMPS used for ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
7. In which century did the Poldark Mine work? Tick one 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th
8. What is a 'LEAT' Ans………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Tin was first recovered in Cornwall from alluvial deposits in ancient river valleys. Archaeologists have estimated that tin was first worked in Cornwall how many years ago ? tick one 6,000 5,000 4,000 2,000 1,500 1,000 500
10. In which year was gunpowder first used in Cornish mines? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
11. What did miners use to provide light to see with underground at Poldark? Ans…………………………………………………………………..
12. When was the 14 foot water wheel made and who made it ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
13. The main ore of tin has a specific gravity of 7. How much heavier than the same volume of water is this ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Who invented the 'Safety Fuse' ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
15. Where was Safety Fuse first made ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
16. In which year did Richard Trevithick of Camborne built the world's first railway ? Tick one 1750 1795 1804 1825 1854 1890
17. When did the last tin mine stop working ? An extra point if you can name it ! Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
18. What is an adit? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
19. The coat of arms of Cornwall dates from 1192 when King Richard I decreed that the support given to him by the people of Cornwall should be remembered 'in perpetuity'. What does 'in perpetuity' mean ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
20. Cornwall was the world's most important mining region in the 19th century. The skills developed in Cornwall were taken throughout the world by Cornish miners to places such as Real del Monte, Mineral Point and Burra Burra. In which countries are these towns? Real del Monte………….…Mineral Point………….…Burra Burra…………….
21. Only one of these metals has never been mined commercially in Cornwall, which one ? ANTIMONY, BISMUTH, COBALT, COPPER, GOLD, IRON, LEAD, SILVER, TUNGSTEN, URANIUM, ZINC. Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
