Walk: The Minions Mining Landscape. Led by Ben Sumpter

The walk covers the southern Foweymore or Bodmin Moor, which similarly to Dartmoor is perhaps its richest in its early tinworking remains, comprising a mix of stream and lode works. This rich matrix of early tin archaeology is juxtaposed by the short, but much more destructive copper mining boom of of the 1830s-60s. Underground mining almost entirely ceased by 1900; Cornwall's "copper-rush" - the wild (south) west

The 4-mile route will consider a variety of themes including: early tinworking features featuring some of the largest streamworks in Cornwall (at Withybrook); modern tin and copper remains from underground mining during the C19 including the downstream effects on landscape and population; the 19th century granite quarrying industry; and the landscape archaeology of the moors, particularly the impact of mining on the Hurlers stone circles.

Please note that all walks now require advance booking, with the maximum number restricted to 30. This is due in part to health and safety concerns as we often walk in difficult conditions, both weather and terrain.