As we have often drawn attention to, much of Cornwall’s mining legacy is often buried beneath our feet—literally.
Modern development and shifting ground conditions frequently obscure the extensive underground networks that once powered our region’s main industry.
Recently our MD, Dan Berriman, took some of the Cornwall Mining Consultants field team to the cliffs, beaches and streets of Perranporth. Here they were invited to investigate how much historic mining infrastructure lies hidden beneath the landscapes they think they know.
What they discovered was a rare and fascinating, as Jack Jones, George Richards and Max Kennedy explain below.
A Walk Through History
Wheal Droskyn From Above
We began on the cliffs north of Perranporth Beach, standing atop the historic Wheal Droskyn mine. Despite being one of the area’s most significant mining sites, many of the mine’s shafts weren’t visible from the surface—a reminder of how easily historic workings can escape notice on modern terrain.
Mining Infrastructure Revealed by the Sea
Descending onto the beach, we followed remarkable exposures of Wheal Droskyn’s workings carved into the cliff face. We then headed south, past Chapel Rock toward Droskyn Head, where we were able to clearly identify numerous adits and crosscut tunnels heading in to the cliff face.
We were able access some of these to view the connecting shafts up to the surface, and the security grills fitted to the most hazardous features.
A previous detailed survey and assessment of these workings by Cornwall Mining Consultants for the Parish Council, identified those that should be secured in order to keep beach goers safe.
Centuries of wave action since the very first mining took place has cut back the cliffs to reveal features that were once completely underground—offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a mine whose exact start is unknown, but was actually still active a little over 100 years ago.
One standout was the remains of a chamber, carved from the rock, that once housed a 6.7 metre (22-foot) diameter waterwheel used to pump out the main shaft and workings hidden well below sea level. This was powered by water which was transported along an impressive 3 kilometre long surface leat from the Perrancoombe stream. The final 200 metres of this channel was driven in a shallow tunnel to the mine beneath what is now Tywarnhayle Road. The scale and ingenuity of this incredible feat of engineering are still striking today!
Early Workings and a Smugglers’ Shaft
Rejoining the South West Coast Path beyond Droskyn Head, we encountered some of the earliest known mining workings in Cornwall. The dramatic cliff workings of Vugh-an-Vounder are thought to be over 2000 years old. Here, a dramatic shaft sank straight through the cliff to sea level—reportedly used not just for mining, but also for smuggling in the 18th century.
Mining Risk Beneath Modern Perranporth
Our final stop took us into Perranporth town itself. Walking through the streets, it became clear how much of the old mining landscape is now concealed beneath modern buildings, roads and public spaces. Many areas presented potential for adverse ground conditions due to historic workings hidden below.
Why This Field Day Mattered
This visit is one that Dan organises for each new team member because it provides them with several valuable takeaways which directly inform our work across Cornwall, and beyond.
1. A Rare Longitudinal Insight
Typically, our fieldwork relies on drilling and surface investigations to delineate mining hazards. Here, natural erosion revealed the mine in cross-section—an unusual and extremely helpful perspective that deepened our understanding of underground geometries.
2. Real-World View of Remedial Measures
We observed various protection measures such as grilled adit portals and fencing around capped shafts at Droskyn Point. Seeing these interventions in situ helps us evaluate best practices and consider where similar solutions could be applied elsewhere in the UK.
3. Hidden Risks in Everyday Environments
Comparing exposed cliff-side workings with historic OS maps, mine plans and modern Perranporth highlighted how easily important features become hidden in plain sight.
This echoes challenges seen in areas across not only Cornwall but the entire country. Recently, a parked mini made the news for disappearing into the ground at Berryman’s Bakery in Redruth, and earlier this year, a massive ‘sinkhole’ caused complete chaos in Godstone, Surrey, where there are numerous disused caves and quarries lying beneath the surface.
This Perranporth visit highlights that even seemingly benign residential or commercial sites can mask complex underground risks.
Looking Forward
Explorations such as this strengthen our ability to identify, assess and manage mining-related ground risk for clients across Cornwall. They also reinforce an important message: our county and nation’s mining heritage is vast, intricate and often invisible—but its legacy still shapes the land we build on today.
At Cornwall Mining Consultants, we’re committed to ensuring that this history does not become a hazard.
By combining field insight with historical research and technical expertise, we help communities and developers build safely on Cornwall’s remarkable mining past.