Rinsey walk: underground, overground, air and sea
Rinsey is a delightful mix of seascape, landscape, mining heritage and natural history. Take in three old engine houses with World Heritage Site status. There are also close-up views of rare plant-life, and the enigmatic Bishop Rock. You might see ponies grazing, or some choughs displaying or even dolphins playing.
Map
Start:
Rinsey car park, grid ref SW593276
1
From the car park go through the gate towards the engine house.
Mining on the cliffs
The dramatically-sited engine house at Wheal Prosper marks the site of a relatively small mine known at various times as Wheal Rinsey and Wheal Prosper. The engine house, with its attached chimney was built in 1860 and the mine was primarily worked for tin and copper. It is recorded as having raised an average of 860 tons of ore per year and was finally closed in 1865. The engine house was used during the filming of the Poldark series in 1995, when, by means of a series of elaborate props, it was made to appear as if functioning.
2
Just past the engine house, take the lower path, where the acorn indicates the South West Coast Path.
Dodder
The patches of orange/red threadlike stems that can be seen growing on other vegetation along the route are dodder. This parasitic plant has no chlorophyll of its own but instead obtains all its nutrients from the host plant it lives on. It has no leaves but dense clusters of small pink flowers appear from July to September. Though still comparatively common in southern England, it grows mainly on gorse, heather and wild thyme. Its decline in distribution further north has resulted in dodder being listed as vulnerable on the UK Red List of rare and threatened plants.
3
After leaving Rinsey, keep left on the South West Coast Path.
Mount's Bay and a Mount
From this walk, there are views across Mount's Bay to the west, where the ancient pilgrimage isle is dedicated to St. Michael, the patron saint of high places. Once a Benedictine monastery, it was also a fortress used to defend the Western Approaches and the harbour where much early tin trading took place. Today's bold silhouette shows the chapel at the summit and the roofs of the house created around it by the St Aubyn family, who came to the Mount in the 1640s and whose descendants are still in residence.
4
At the T junction boulder, turn right for a quick out and back view of the engine houses.
5
Turn at the engine house or further on if you like.
6
At the Boulder junction keep right on the top path.
7
When you come across three gates, choose the lower, left one and go over the stile next to it.
8
Now keep on the upper path.
9
When you're level with the first engine house turn left down the slope towards it.
10
At the engine house turn right, back up the path to the car park.
11
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:
Rinsey car park, grid ref SW593276
