Wheal Anna Maria – a copper and arsenic mine – covered 3.2 hectares and had over 6,850 cubic metres of arsenic flues!
It was named after the Duchess of Bedford! …

Natalie

October 28, 2022

Mountain biking

Wheal Anna Maria was originally a copper and later an arsenic mine. The biggest arsenic mine in the world.

The ruins you can see are from the arsenic calcining complex where the arsenic-ore was crushed then roasted (calcinated). The white powder of arsenic would coat the walls of the flues and be scraped off by men and children. They were protected from the extremely toxic poison only by cotton wool in their ears and noses and rags covering their mouths! They even had to scrape the white powder off their boots before going home.

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Best routes near Wheal Anna Maria Calciner Complex

4.0

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1. Mineral Railway and Wheal Maria Loop

17.4km

01:36

360m

Explore the moderate 10.8-mile Mineral Railway and Wheal Maria Loop by mountain bike, discovering industrial heritage and scenic views in Ta

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Moderate

4.0

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2. Blanchdown Wood – View from Blanchdown Wood loop from Gunnislake

32.5km

02:41

620m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

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Moderate

4.7

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3. Blanchdown Wood – View from Blanchdown Wood loop from Gulworthy

8.75km

00:48

140m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

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Elevation 80 m

Weather

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Tuesday 17 March

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Max wind speed: 35.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Gulworthy, West Devon, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Wheal Anna Maria Calciner Complex

1. Mineral Railway and Wheal Maria Loop

2. Blanchdown Wood – View from Blanchdown Wood loop from Gunnislake

3. Blanchdown Wood – View from Blanchdown Wood loop from Gulworthy

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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