18th Century Chimney

Standing alone in the Cornish landscape near Redruth, this 18th century chimney is a striking reminder of the region's mining heritage. It's essentially a tall brick structure - what remains of an old engine house or smelting works from Cornwall's industrial boom. The chimney itself is the draw here, looming against the sky, though there's not much else on site to occupy you for hours.

Historyminded visitors will find it worthwhile, particularly those interested in the tin and copper mining that shaped this area. Mining enthusiasts should definitely stop by. Families might enjoy it as a quick detour rather than a destination in itself - children tend to get the gist after ten or fifteen minutes, then they're done.

It's free to access and costs nothing but your time. Allow perhaps half an hour to walk around, take photographs, and absorb the sense of what was here two centuries ago. The real appeal comes if you're exploring the broader mining landscape of West Cornwall, which has several heritage sites scattered about.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Lanyon Holiday Park is closest at just over two miles away - this works well as part of a morning's exploration. Pair it with other mining heritage sites or walks around Redruth for a fuller picture. It's not going to be the highlight of your trip, but it's worth the detour if you're already in the area and have an interest in industrial history. The landscape around it tells the real story.