Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 81 out of 83 hikers
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Cornwall National Landscape
Location: St. Just, South West England, England, United Kingdom
Poldark fans might recognise this as Wheal Leisure from the popular BBC TV series. Its beautiful cliff top location contrasts starkly with the hard and dangerous work carried out by men, women and children here.
The risk, tragedy and loss of working in a mine was felt very keenly here at West Wheal Owles. In 1893, 20 men and boys were killed when mine excavations blasted through to the flooded Wheal Drea mine nearby. Water rushed into the mine and a large gust of air blew out all the candles, leaving the miners to escape in the dark. None of the bodies were recovered and the mine was closed.
November 14, 2022
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