Botallack 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.
Map
Start:
Count House, Botallack, St Just, grid ref SW365332
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.
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 which 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 its estimated that there are 6 million people of Cornish descent globally.
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, chough 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.
4
Turn right onto the track and head back to the car park.
5
We hope that you really enjoyed this one-mile walk. The National Trust looks after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us continue our work to cherish the countryside and provide access to our beautiful and refreshing landscapes. To find out more about how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor please go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
End:
Count House, Botallack, St Just, grid ref SW365332
