Botallack Coast and Levant Mine Walk

Route Description for Botallack Coast and Levant Mine Walk

Thanks to its stunning views along the coast and fascinating historical sites, the Botallack Coast and Levant Mine Walk is a popular excursion that will likely see a large volume of visitors. It is best to arrive early if you want to secure one of the limited parking spaces and enjoy the magic of the Cornish coast without the crowds. As with many of the coastal trails in the southwest of England, you will want to wear proper walking shoes and bring an extra layer to combat the windy and wet conditions.

If you enjoy taking in breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, the blue expanse of the sea, and visiting interesting historical sites, then this will be a highly enjoyable trail. As you walk the coastal path, you will not only have a window looking out across the water, but also back in time. Here, you can explore the rich mining history of Cornwall through visiting the various buildings that served the tin mining industry that was prevalent during the 19th and 20th centuries. For such a short trail, there certainly is a lot to see and do!

Setting out from the car park, you will head to the north along the wide track and immediately pass by several old buildings related to the mining industry. After 0.5 km, keep left at the fork in order to follow the South West Coast Path, continuing along it for the next 1.2 km. This portion of the walk will see you experience stunning views along the coast, but will also lead you past the ruins of several old buildings and chimneys that provide a great window into the past operations in the area.

After meeting up with the track once again, you will head to the left and continue on for 0.2 km, where you will come to the location of the Levant Mine and Beam Engine. Take some time to explore this area, as it is a National Trust site that houses the world’s only operational example of a Cornish Beam Engine that was used to power a number of mining operations, from material extraction to transportation.

After exploring the site and taking in some more amazing views of the coast, you will head back to the southwest for 99 m and follow the wide track on the right. Here, you will keep straight along the track for the next 1.4 km, absorbing the final views of the coastal landscape and industrial buildings as you make your way back to the car park having completed the Botallack Coast and Levant Mine Walk.

Trail Highlights

Levant Mine and Beam Engine

Now owned by the National Trust, the Levant Mine and Beam Engine is located near St Just, Cornwall and is the site of the world’s only still-operational Cornish Beam Engine. This type of engine, invented in Cornwall, utilized high-pressure steam to power a number of mining operations, including water and material extraction, as well as the transportation of men underground. In this latter capacity, the engine had failed in 1919, which resulted in the deaths of 31 miners on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Levant Mine close?

Due to the falling price of tin, the Levant Mine ceased operation in 1930.

How deep is the Levant Mine?

Stretching out over a mile from the coast, the Levant Mine reached a depth of approximately 183 m.