Botallack and Kenidjack coastal walk
Explore the industrial heritage of Cornwall's Tin Coast on a stunning walk across clifftop heathland. Starting with views of the famous Crowns Engine Houses, this circular route shows why the St Just area is so special. Listen out for the distinctive ‘cheow’ of passing choughs or catch a glimpse of basking sharks.
Watch your step
This walk explores exposed coast paths and industrial heritage. Please keep well back from cliff edges with steep drops, and be aware that there are old mine shafts.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Botallack National Trust car park, grid ref: SW365332
Step 1
Start at the Botallack Count House next to the car park, where there's information about local mining and natural history. From the count house, turn right along the track.
Step 2
Just past the headgear on the right, turn left by the coast path sign, following the path through the tin dressing floor and past the chimney. Continue past West Wheal Owles and Wheal Edward engine houses.
Step 3
Following the coast path turn right, waymarked to Cape Cornwall and out to Kenidjack Headland. Here you can explore the Iron Age cliff castle to the north of the rifle butts, with views of Cape Cornwall in the background.
Step 4
From the rifle butts, the coast path leads down the hillside. Go over the stile where a waymark states 'mine shaft, danger of death'. Turn left onto the old quarry track, then take the path on the right that runs diagonally down the valley side.
Step 5
Follow the track inland, past the Kenidjack arsenic works with its tall chimney on the other side of the stream. At the National Trust sign for Kenidjack, turn right again and continue on to Kenidjack hamlet.
Step 6
Where the rough track ends and the metalled road starts, turn left and go up through the hamlet to a stone stile straight ahead. Beyond this, cross the field to another stile, and follow a narrow track between hedges.
Step 7
To the left of the house straight ahead is Wheal Owles, a ruined engine house. Take the track beside the engine house on its right, cross the stile and head through the fields towards the coast. Cross the next stile back to the track above Wheal Edward.
Step 8
At the junction, turn right along this ancient trackway with partial remains of the original cobbles. Turn left at the junction, which will lead back to the count house track, clearly visible in front of you.
End point
Botallack National Trust car park, grid ref: SW365332
Trail map
Botallack
On the wild Tin Coast, the famed Crowns engine houses cling to the foot of the cliffs. Part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and Poldark filming location.
Botallack mining walk
Discover Cornish mining heritage on this beautiful one mile walk around Botallack.
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