Shafts and Adits (dis)

The mining landscape around Launceston tells a story mostly underground. Shafts and adits - those dark horizontal tunnels miners drove into hillsides - pepper the countryside here, remnants of tin and copper extraction that shaped Cornwall's fortune centuries ago. You won't find much signposting or visitor infrastructure; this is archaeology in its rawest form, and that's rather the point.

Walking the moorland, you'll spot collapsed shafts, overgrown entrances, and the occasional brick or stone structure crumbling back into the earth. It's atmospheric, especially on grey afternoons, though not dramatic in the way Bodmin Moor might be. The real value lies in wandering and spotting these holes in the landscape - understanding how extractive industry literally carved up the terrain. History enthusiasts and landscape photographers get more from it than families after a traditional "attraction" with tea shops and interpretation boards.

There's no admission charge because there's nowhere official to visit, really. Just respectful exploration of what remains. Allow as long as you fancy - an hour's ramble, half a day if you're properly keen. Winter's clearer for visibility; summer growth hides the evidence.

Stay at Ekopod or Trewithen Farm, both within easy reach, and spend mornings poking about the mining landscape before heading to busier Launceston attractions. It's contemplative rather than entertaining - not for everyone, but for those interested in industrial archaeology, it's the genuine article.