Cornwall

Botallack mining walk

This walk goes through outstanding historical and industrial sites set in coastal heathland, with rare wild flowers. Here, passing choughs with their 'cheoow' can be heard. The whole walk lies in the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Near to

Botallack

Start point

Count House, Botallack, St Just. TR19 7PU

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly***

*A mostly level walk with some narrow and informal paths. Please look out for steep drops. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This walk has some uneven surfaces, and the path is close to cliff edges in some places.
***Dogs are welcomed but keep a close eye on them.

Steep and unguarded drops

There are some steep and unguarded drops. Please supervise children and keep dogs on a lead, or under very close control.

Address
Botallack, St Just, Cornwall, TR19 7QQ
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
All year round the St Just to Penzance number 10a. In the summer the Penzance to Land's End number 300. Alight in Botallack village by the Queens Arms and from the bus stop head north through the village to the road junction, then follow the track past Botallack Manor to the Count House.
By train
Penzance station, 7 miles (11km).
By road
Take the B3306 from St Ives or St Just to Botallack, take either turn into the village and where the two roads meet, take the track out to the coast. Parking available in the area just beyond the ruins near the Count House. There is a bike stand outside the Count House.
Dogs
Please keep dogs on a lead. There are some narrow and informal paths, some of which are next to steep, unguarded drops and there are mineshafts in places. Please be aware of this and keep to the footpaths Ponies/cattle grazing at Kenidjack valley and farm over winter. Please don’t approach or feed livestock and keep dogs under control.
Car park
There is no overnight parking or camping permitted at Botallack.
Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
Count House, Botallack, St Just. TR19 7PU
Stage 1
Turn left onto the track heading back to Botallack village.
The Count House
Built around 1861 as the residence and offices for the Captain and staff of the Botallack Mine, it was also the centre for accounts for the mine, and where mine workers would come on a monthly basis to be paid. At the height of Cornish mining, count houses were also the scene of lavish dinners when shareholders gathered to examine the mine accounts. Visit the Geevor Mine Museum in Pendeen to see the tin dinner service used here. The Count House is now a centre for interpretation and education and used for a range of community events.
Stage 2
At the ruined shed, turn right down the track to the coast.
The Cornish mines
In 2006, Botallack was given World Heritage Site status by UNESCO, joining 900 places around the world with this designation. This testifies to the importance of the mining landscape, its historic features and the technological developments and scientific research that took place here. The Cornish had a huge influence on the development of mining throughout the world. Between 1815 and 1915 over 250,000 people left to work in other mining areas, and it's estimated that there are 6 million people of Cornish descent globally.
Stage 3
At the engine house, take the right-hand junction east along the coast path. Continue along the footpath and head through the remains of the old tin mining works. More information on the mining works can be found at the Botallack Count House.
The Cornish chough
The choughs you may see flying overhead are easily distinguished from other members of the crow family by their red bills and legs and their distinctive 'cheeow' call. Formerly widespread around the UK coast, choughs became extinct in England when the last bird died in the 1970s. Reintroduction of grazing to coastal grasslands and heaths has improved the availability of the short, open vegetation that they rely on for feeding. This is enabling a slow recovery of the Cornwall population with the return of a breeding pair to Lizard Point in 2002.
Stage 4
Turn right onto the track and head back to the car park.
End point
Count House, Botallack, St Just. TR19 7PU
Trail map
Map route for Botallack Mining walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

The abandoned mine engine house of West Wheal Owles at Botallack, Cornwall

Trail

Botallack and Kenidjack coastal walk

Explore Cornwall's mining heritage and true Poldark country on the Tin Coast, taking in the Crowns engine houses, clifftop views and the chance to spot Cornish choughs.

A path cutting through dense overgrowth on either side

Trail

Boscastle and the Valency Valley walk

Explore the cliffs above Boscastle's medieval harbour before traversing the peaceful woodland and riverside path in the Valency Valley on this wonderful walk

The sandy shoreline of Carne Beach, Cornwall, backed by grassy cliffs.

Trail

Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk

Explore a wooded valley and look out for signs of local history before taking in the far-ranging views at Nare Head on the Nare and back again walk.

A view of the coastline from Constantine Bay looking toward Trevose Head, Cornwall

Trail

Booby's Bay walk

Enjoy views across Constantine Bay, explore hidden coves and look out for rare species of birds and plants on this walk on a popular stretch of the north Cornish coast.