Wheal Coates
50° 18' 19" N 5° 14' 1" WWheal Coates is one of the most iconic landmarks and most photographed views on the north coast.
The Wheal Coates mine opened in 1802 and was worked until its closure in 1889. It was re-opened for a short period between 1911 and 1913 before it was finally closed.
The site is most notable for its three engine houses and in particular the iconic Towanroath Shaft engine house, which is now a Grade II listed building. The whole site is in the care of the National Trust, along with the nearby Chapel Porth beach.
Built in 1872 the Towanroath engine house was responsible for keeping the water out of the shaft 600ft below. The other two engine houses were stamping and winding engine houses, built at around the same time. These were responsible for hoisting and crushing the tin ore.
The site has several other structures including a further chimney stack and a calciner furnace, built when the mine was re-opened to remove impurities such as arsenic and sulphur from the tin.
There is a National Trust carpark a few minutes walk away from the site and it can also be reached from Chapel Porth beach which makes a steep but stunning walk.
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- Carpark (National Trust)
- Hazard: Cliffs
- Hazard: Mine shafts / workings
- Hazard: Deep Water
- Limited access for wheelchairs
- Dogs allowed (All year)
- 5 minute walk from carpark
History of Wheal Coates
Wheal Coates is a former tin and copper mine located on the north coast of Cornwall. It operated from the early 1800s until 1889 and was known for its rich ore deposits. The mine was located on a picturesque clifftop location, and its engine houses and other structures still stand today as a popular tourist attraction. Wheal Coates is considered one of the most iconic symbols of Cornwall’s mining history, and its ruins are protected as a scheduled monument.
Towanroath Engine House is a former mining structure located in St Agnes, Cornwall, UK. It was built in 1872 to house a steam engine used for pumping water out of the neighboring mineshaft. The engine house was in operation until 1910 when the mine closed due to flooding. It remained derelict for many years until it was restored in the 1980s as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors can explore the engine house and learn about the history of mining in Cornwall.
Travel / Parking information for Wheal Coates
Directions to Wheal Coates
To visit Wheal Coates, head towards St Agnes on the A30 from Truro or Redruth, then follow the signs to St Agnes and the coast. The site is also accessible via the South West Coast Path, offering breathtaking views of the sea and cliffs.
Parking for Wheal Coates
The closest parking is a small car park on the cliffs near to the mine buildings which is run by National Trust. Parking is also available at the nearby Chapel Porth Beach car park, also operated by the National Trust as well. From there, a scenic walk along the coast path leads you to the lower engine house with a steep path up to the other buildings.
