Botallack, near St Just, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 7QQ
Botallack Mine
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2At Botallack, the remains of Cornwall’s mining industry cling to a rugged Atlantic coastline. The Crowns engine houses are the signature sight: industrial buildings set dramatically against cliffs and sea, with other mine remains scattered through the coastal landscape.
Botallack brings together a dramatic, exposed Tin Coast landscape and a striking concentration of mining remains. The experience is more than a photo stop: coastal paths link the engine houses and ruins, offering room to explore both the scenery and the industrial story.
Dramatic · Atmospheric · Wild
Find your way
Open mapBotallack, near St Just, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 7QQ
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The experience
Explore the mining remains from the coastal path, taking time to look at the Crowns engine houses and the surrounding Tin Coast. A short circuit is possible; extend the outing along the coast or towards Levant Mine for a fuller walk. Do not enter restricted structures.
Things to do
Walk the Botallack coastal circuit
Follow the circular route over coastal tracks and paths, with views of the sea and mining remains. The route has uneven sections and steep cliff drops; keep to the path.
About 1 hour
Look for the Crowns engine houses
View the distinctive mine buildings set against the cliffs from the coastal path. Do not enter restricted or unsafe structures.
Walk from Botallack village to the Count House
Follow the National Trust’s 0.5-mile walk from the Queen’s Arms bus stop to the Count House, passing views of mining engine houses and chimney stacks.
10 minutes one way
Continue towards Levant Mine
Extend the coastal outing towards Levant Mine and its Beam Engine. Check current National Trust access and opening information before planning an interior visit.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick escape: the Botallack mining circuit
- 01
Start at the National Trust Botallack car park.
- 02
Follow the circular coastal route past mining remains and clifftop views.
- 03
Return by the track; keep to the path near steep drops.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: explore the Tin Coast
- 01
Begin with the Botallack coastal circuit and take time to explore the mining landscape from the paths.
- 02
Continue along the coast towards Levant Mine and the Beam Engine; check National Trust access and opening information before planning to visit the interior.
- 03
Return to Botallack and, if open, stop at the Count House café.
Verified history
Botallack is a former tin and copper mining site on Cornwall’s Tin Coast. Its 19th-century engine houses and other industrial remains form part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The Crowns engine houses are a prominent feature of the cliffside landscape. The supplied material describes mining operations extending beneath the Atlantic and the presence of arsenic-processing remains.
When to go
· A clear, calm day; arrive early if you want to avoid busier periods and improve your chance of finding parking.
The coastal route is described as usable year-round. Clear weather makes the sea and mine remains easier to appreciate; exposed coastal conditions can be windy and wet.
The coast can be windy and wet. Wear suitable walking shoes and bring an extra layer. Take care near steep cliff edges.
The route
- ascent
- 167 ft elevation gain (AllTrails)
- stiles
- No stiles or gates reported
- surface
- Stone tracks and paths; uneven and loose stones reported
- distance
- 2.1 miles
- duration
- 0.5–1 hour
- difficulty
- Moderate (AllTrails); an alternative guide describes the route as easy
- waymarking
- Check route guidance before setting out; AllTrails describes route signage as average.
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- National Trust Botallack car park
- parking start
- National Trust Botallack car park; pay-and-display is listed by the National Trust, with free parking for members.
- shorter alternative
- Walk the National Trust 0.5-mile route from the Queen’s Arms bus stop in Botallack village to the Count House; the listed one-way duration is 10 minutes.
- Crowns engine houses
- Coastal views
- Ruined mine buildings and chimneys
- Tin Coast industrial heritage
Worth pairing with
Levant Mine and Beam Engine
A nearby mining heritage site that can extend a Botallack visit into a longer Tin Coast outing. Check National Trust access and opening information before travelling.
Botallack Count House café
The National Trust lists a café at the Count House serving refreshments, pasties and cakes; check opening times before visiting.
What to look for
Look for the Crowns engine houses on the cliff face, plus the other ruined mining buildings and chimney remains along the coast. From the path, notice how closely the industrial structures meet the sea and the exposed heathland landscape.
The story
Industry, Archaeology
Best time to go
Year-round; choose a clear, calm day for coastal views, and check conditions before setting out.
A clear, relatively calm day gives the best chance of seeing the coastline and mining remains clearly. Arriving early may help avoid busier periods and parking pressure.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; longer if extending the coastal walk
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Families · Dogs
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The mining remains can be viewed from the South West Coast Path. The National Trust lists a pay-and-display car park at Botallack; members park free. Some routes pass close to steep cliff edges, so keep to the paths and take care, particularly with children and dogs. Check current access and facilities before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
National Trust pay-and-display car park at Botallack; National Trust members park free. Check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets are listed at Botallack Count House.
Food & drink
Count House café is listed as serving refreshments, pasties and cakes. Check opening times before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome on the National Trust village-to-Count House walk. Take care around cliff edges.
Accessibility
A Tramper powered mobility vehicle is available to hire from the Count House by prior booking. The coastal route includes uneven paths and steep cliff edges; check route suitability and current accessibility information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Botallack Mine
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
