Hard Rock Museum

Cornwall's mining heritage runs deep, and the Hard Rock Museum at Geevor gives you a proper sense of what those men endured underground. You're walking through actual mine workings - shafts, tunnels, the lot - with genuine equipment still in place. It's industrial history without the sanitised museum feel.

The museum covers tin and copper mining from the 18th century onwards, and there's real weight to it. You'll see why the industry shaped this entire corner of the county. Allow two to three hours minimum; rushing through defeats the purpose. The underground tour is the main draw, though the surface buildings and exhibits are substantial too.

Historically minded adults will find this compelling. Families with children aged eight and up generally engage well, though younger kids might find the darkness and confined spaces tiresome. The physical demands are real - there's climbing, ducking, walking on uneven ground.

It's free to explore the surface buildings, but the underground tour costs. Opening hours run Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, so plan accordingly. Summer gets busy; visit on a weekday morning if you can.

Located between Penzance and the far west, it slots nicely into a mining heritage trail. If you're staying at Roselands Caravan Camping Park or Lands End Camping and Glamping, Geevor makes a solid half-day outing. Pair it with a coastal walk along the cliffs - the scenery here is unforgiving and magnificent.