Newquay Mining

The earliest mining occured over 2,000 years ago at Trevelgue Head, Porth. Excavations in 1939 showed it to be the site of an important place for the production of tools and weapons during the Iron Age. The entire process was carried out here from the initial mining of the raw material (iron ore), through to smelting in kilns and then final manufacture of the artefacts. It has been described as the 'Sheffield' of its day.

The site was protected by a series of high banks, still very much in evidence today. At one point a bank which now reaches the cliff edge can be seen to continue further along the edge. This errosion of the coast in between indicates just how extensive the mining activitiy must have been.

Although the 1939 excavations were carried out by professionals and extensive records kept, a full report was never published. [Because of the outbreak of WWII?] However funding has now been made available for this to happen.

Lead and Silver mining

Mountwise mine

Silver is found in association with lead and several mines of this type existed in the Newquay area. When Queen Mary (1553-1558) wanted silver to improve the countries coinage, Newquay, in the shape of the Mountwise mine, became a very important source. This particular mine had a new lease of life around 1840, following Treffry's purchase of the manor of Newquay. For a quarter of a century it was very profitable, eventually closing in 1864. A drainage adit runs from this mine, below Killacourt, to Towan beach. Here it was used informally for washing clothes and later to supply the Newquay Baths and Sanitary Steam Laundry. The mine was used as a strategic water supply for the town by the Waterboard when they enclosed it in 1894.

Tolcarne and Rosecliff

The area behind Tolcarne and Barrowfields was extensively mined for a short perion in the mid 1860s. It is now built over, the only indication of its activities being drainage adits in the cliffs.

Newquay Consoles

Fistral golf course inherits its distinctive pot marked appearence from the Newquay Consoles lead mine that once operated on this site.