Luckett: Mining History and Walking Trails

Luckett combines a rich mining history with waymarked trails and a nature reserve. If you want to explore both industrial heritage and the landscape during your stay, you’ll find a range of points of interest here. Its history stretches from mining that began around the 1760s, through the names of various mines, to the technical installations at New Consols Mine. A waymarked walking trail runs through a former mining area; the Kit Hill Link connects Luckett and Kit Hill. Luckett is located in the Tamar Valley, designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

Mining History and Minerals

Mining in Luckett began around the 1760s; copper was the main product at the time. In the 19th century, mining was carried out successively under the names Great Wheal Martha, New Wheal Martha and New Great Consols. New Consols Mine in Luckett is a Scheduled Monument. Copper, lead, silver, arsenic and tin were mined there, as well as smaller quantities of gold. The dates answer different questions: the start of mining around the 1760s is approximate, while the sequence of names dates to the 19th century. As for the mix of minerals, gold was explicitly mined only in smaller quantities.

New Consols Mine Technology

An engine house at New Consols Mine was built in 1871 and housed a 28-inch engine that powered copper crushers. The year dates the engine house; the measurement in inches refers to the engine. Water-powered Brunton calciners have also survived at the mine. They were built to extract arsenic and are listed Grade II. The copper crushers and calciners therefore point to different technical functions and mineral resources at New Consols Mine: copper processing and arsenic extraction.

Another Historical Reference Point

Wheal Sheba operated as a copper mine from 1843 to 1867. Compared with the approximate date given for the start of mining in Luckett in the 1760s, this is a more specific timeframe for a single copper mine. This lets you distinguish the general beginning of mining from a precisely dated period of operation.

Walking Trails and Landscape

A waymarked walking trail from the car park in Luckett runs through the former mining area of Luckett Mine. Its historical connection is therefore directly linked to the route. The Kit Hill Link runs from Luckett to Kit Hill and is 2.7 miles (4.25 km) long. For planning your walk, the two routes offer different highlights: one passes through a former mining area, while the Kit Hill Link has a specified length. Check current waymarking and trail conditions locally before setting out.

Nature Conservation at Luckett (Greenscombe) Woods

Luckett (Greenscombe) Woods is a nature reserve. In 2006, rare Heath Fritillary butterflies were reintroduced there. This nature conservation interest adds another focus to your travel plans alongside the mining history and trails.

Discover more destinations: Bodmin, Liskeard, Torpoint, Portloe, Porthleven, Tintagel, Duloe, Ruan Minor

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.