The National Trust at Heartlands
Heartlands is a significant industrial World Heritage Site in Pool, Cornwall. It is an important part of our plans to put our strategy into action by tackling unequal access to heritage and nature. We expect to take on the operational management of Heartlands, subject to successful lease discussions with Cornwall Council later this year.
About Heartlands
Heartlands is an 8-hectare internationally significant heritage mining site. It is owned by Cornwall Council and is in Pool, near Redruth, a short walk from another National Trust site at East Pool Mine.
The site is a gateway to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site and is centred on Robinsons Engine House, the most complete remains of the last working tin mine in Europe.
About our plans
Heartlands offers a unique opportunity to build on and consolidate our existing role in the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and take forward a partnership model for public benefit delivery that will create a vibrant and sustainable future for the site.
Since 2025, our local project team has been working with Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC), Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, local residents and stakeholders, and Cornwall Council to explore options for Heartlands, including opportunities to work with charity and commercial tenants to help unlock its potential.
Following a meeting at Cornwall Council in February 2026, the Trust was given the go-ahead to proceed with lease negotiations to become the future long-term operator of Heartlands, as representatives of the Council Cabinet gave their approval.
We expect the lease negotiations to be concluded by summer 2026 and we appreciate everyone's patience as we continue these discussions and work towards a hopeful outcome.
The history of the National Trust at Heartlands
Between 1967 and 2010, the National Trust leased Robinsons Engine House from Cornwall Council and opened the site to visitors.
A bit of background
Heartlands was put on the map in 2012, after a funded programme of work transformed the public spaces and buildings around Robinsons Engine House into a heritage visitor destination, exhibition centre and community hub. Ths site was run by an independent charitable trust established in 2010, and it closed in 2024.
Contact us
To contact the Heartlands team at the National Trust please use the email address below: