Beacon Drive, near St Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0NT
Wheal Coates
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
7.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.0Wheal Coates’ engine houses cling to the cliffs above the Atlantic, where the remains of a tin-mining complex sit amid coastal heath and expansive sea views.
Wheal Coates brings Cornwall’s mining heritage directly into a dramatic coastal landscape: historic engine houses and other mine remains stand above rugged cliffs, with the South West Coast Path offering a way to explore beyond the familiar viewpoint.
Dramatic · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBeacon Drive, near St Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0NT
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the mine remains from the National Trust car park, then continue on the coastal paths or South West Coast Path for changing views of the engine houses, cliffs and sea. Paths become steep and uneven towards the cliff and Towan Roath engine house.
Things to do
Explore the mine buildings
Take in the Towanroath pumping engine house, stamps and winding engine houses, set along the rugged cliffs.
30–60 minutes
Walk a section of the South West Coast Path
Wheal Coates is on the South West Coast Path, with a network of paths connecting from St Agnes village. Paths towards the cliff and engine house are steep and uneven; check conditions before setting out.
Check route and conditions before choosing a duration
Take in the coastal mining landscape
Look beyond an individual engine house to the wider arrangement of mine remains on the cliffs and the coastal heath around them.
15–30 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: the cliffside engine houses
- 01
Start from the National Trust car park.
- 02
Follow the available paths towards the mine remains and take time to view the Towanroath pumping engine house and other engine houses.
- 03
Return by the same route, allowing for steep and uneven ground near the cliffs.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: mine remains and coast path
- 01
Begin at Wheal Coates and explore the engine houses and mining remains.
- 02
Continue along the South West Coast Path towards Chapel Porth, checking current access and path conditions before setting out.
- 03
Allow time to take in the coastal heath, cliffs and sea views; return by a suitable route or arrange transport in advance.
Verified history
Wheal Coates is part of the St Agnes Mining District, whose landscape preserves evidence of tin mining. The remains at Wheal Coates include the Towanroath pumping engine house, stamps and winding engine houses. The supplied sources do not give dates or details of particular people or events at this mine.
Hidden details
Read the industrial landscape — Look for more than the best-known engine house: the St Agnes Mining District account identifies pumping, stamping and winding works among Wheal Coates’ remains.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · Choose a clear, relatively calm time in daylight; the National Trust lists the countryside as open from dawn to dusk.
The mining remains and coastal landscape can be explored in any season when conditions allow. The source describes coastal heath and mentions summer dolphin sightings in the wider district, but does not guarantee wildlife sightings.
The cliffside is exposed, and paths are steep and uneven in places. Check the forecast and current path conditions; take care in poor visibility, strong winds or wet weather.
The route
- ascent
- 515 ft for the St Agnes Beacon and Wheal Coates route described by 10Adventures.
- stiles
- Check before visiting.
- surface
- Rugged terrain is noted; expect uneven and steep paths near the cliffs. Check current conditions.
- distance
- 2.9 miles return for the St Agnes Beacon and Wheal Coates route described by 10Adventures; this is a longer walk, not just the site visit.
- duration
- 1.5–2 hours for the St Agnes Beacon and Wheal Coates route described by 10Adventures.
- difficulty
- Easy rating from the route source; it also notes uphill walking and rugged terrain. The National Trust warns that paths towards the cliff and engine house are steep and uneven.
- waymarking
- Check before visiting.
- route shape
- Check route map and directions before setting out.
- start point
- Route source trailhead coordinates: 50.314671, -5.233248. Confirm the start point and directions before setting out.
- parking start
- National Trust lists a car park at Wheal Coates. The longer route source gives a separate trailhead; confirm parking and the correct start before travelling.
- shorter alternative
- Visit Wheal Coates from the National Trust car park without completing the longer Beacon circuit; choose a return point to suit conditions and ability.
- St Agnes Beacon summit and panoramic coastal views
- Wheal Coates engine houses and mining remains
Worth pairing with
Chapel Porth
The St Agnes Mining District source places Chapel Porth beach below Wheal Coates and describes a National Trust tin-mining walk linking the area. Check route conditions and beach access before planning a combined visit.
St Agnes village and museum
The district source recommends exploring St Agnes’ mining heritage and identifies St Agnes Museum as a place to learn more about the parish’s mining and maritime history. The National Trust says Wheal Coates is about a 30-minute walk from the village; check the route and museum opening information before travelling.
What to look for
Look for the different mine buildings in the cliffside landscape, including the Towanroath pumping engine house, stamps and winding engine houses. Notice how the remains sit above the rugged coast and coastal heath.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Spring and summer for coastal flowers and longer daylight; choose a clear, calm day for the views and take care in exposed weather.
A clear, relatively calm day gives the best chance of seeing the coastal landscape clearly. The National Trust lists the countryside as open from dawn to dusk; check conditions and current access information before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Photographers · History lovers · Walkers
Before you go
Address
Website
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
National Trust countryside is listed as open from dawn to dusk. Paths towards the cliff and Towan Roath engine house are steep and uneven; check current conditions and access information before visiting. The site is on the South West Coast Path.
Check before visiting
Parking
National Trust car park. The supplied National Trust page lists whole-day parking at £8 for non-members; check current charges and payment arrangements before travelling. JustPark code 80706 is listed.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs allowed; keep them under close control. Check current guidance before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Uneven, undulating ground, steep in places. Paths towards the cliff and Towan Roath engine house are steep and uneven; more level paths are available nearer the parking area. Designated Blue Badge parking is listed. Check the full accessibility guidance before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid (parking charge listed; check current details)
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Wheal Coates
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
