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Wheal Coates is one of the most iconic locations of the Cornish tin mining landscape, thanks to the epic backdrop of Chapel Porth Beach and the rugged north Cornish coast.
Tin mining in the county dates back 4,000 years to 2100 BC, but it didn’t always look like what you see at Wheal Coates.
In the early days, tin was extracted from riverbeds as demand for the metal emerged during the Bronze Age.
Steam engines were introduced in the mines in the 1730s, leading to the classic engine house design that has become an iconic symbol of Cornwall and Cornish mining.
Wheal Coates opened in 1802 and worked until 1889.
It had another brief spell in the early 1900s before permanently closing.
The ruins you see today consist of two engine houses (Old Whim and New Whim), a calciner, the Stamps House, and the most famous of them all, the Towanroath Shaft Engine House, all of which date from the mid-to-late 19th Century.
Wheal Coates has been under the care of the National Trust since the 1970s and is part of the Cornish Mining UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On 31 October 1988, all the structures at Wheal Coates were listed as Grade II.
Towanroath Shaft Engine House
The most iconic part of the tin mine is the Towanroath Shaft Engine House, which makes this iconic Cornish landscape and is arguably one of the most loved coastal scenes in the country.
Towanroath Shaft Engine House is a striking ruin that clings to the cliff’s edge.
Built in 1872, this building once housed a steam engine that pumped water from the mine’s shafts.
Adjacent to the ruins, the shaft plunges more than 180 metres, reaching approximately 60 metres below sea level.
The Towanroath Shaft was one of thousands of shafts across Cornwall, and the engine house was one of hundreds just like it.
Visitor Information
Whether you are interested in history, photography, or just soaking up the epic coastal views, Wheal Coates is a fantastic place to explore.
It’s super easy to access, with a car park right next to it and well-trodden footpaths leading to the ruins.
If you’d like to extend your walk, there are car parks to the north at St Agnes Head, or you can continue along the South West Coast Path, which passes straight through.
📍 St Agnes, Saint Agnes, TR5 0NT
💷 Free
🕙 Open 24 hours
Wheal Coates Photos
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