2023 Walk Programme – The Great Flat Lode led by Pete Herring

This walk will look at the sites, history and prehistory of the land exploited by the numerous mines working the Great Flat Lode. It will also take in St Euny’s church at Redruth and the great tor-topped hill of Carn Brea with its early Neolithic tor enclosure, Iron Age hillfort and later medieval deer park (and hunting lodge). Approximately 6 kilometres or 3.75 miles of mixed terrain, including rough ground and industrial complexes. Unfortunately, our original walk leader Leonard Phillips, MBE is unwell so the walk will be led by Pete Herring, with help from Linda Beskeen.

We will begin with a 10:30 am start at the Wheal Frances car park on Filtrick Lane, about a third of a mile SW of Carnkie (SW 682 393; What3Words: hillside.exotic.chickens). A former tramway takes us through the eastern parts of Wheal Basset to Wheal Buller (both tin and copper mines), then through Wheal Uny tin mine to Redruth church. We head further back in time as we walk along the flank of Carn Brea to Carnkie and so to Wheal Frances. A loop walk, mainly looking at industrial remains, but also touching on medieval and post-medieval landscape, and with significant prehistoric remains on Carn Brea.

This walk will also be advertised to members of the Trevithick Society.

Wheal Uny as seen from Carn Brea