Miners at Botallack tunneled up to 400 yards out under the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes hearing the boulders grinding on the seabed during storms.
The mine was featured as a primary filming location for the 2015 television adaptation of Poldark.
Botallack was one of the few mines in Cornwall that produced both copper and tin in significant quantities.
The Count House was the site where the mine captains, or 'adventurers,' would hold meetings and track ore production.
The distinctive Crowns engine houses are built into the cliff face at an elevation just above the high-tide mark.
The mine reached a maximum depth of approximately 250 fathoms (1,500 feet) below the surface.
The site includes the remains of an arsenic labyrinth, a zigzagging flue used to capture toxic arsenic trioxide vapor produced during ore roasting.
The Count House at Botallack Mine serves as the visitor hub for a significant site within the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. Perched on the dramatic cliffs of the Penwith Peninsula, it was the administrative nerve center for the Botallack Mine, which operated from the 18th century until 1914. The building itself is a granite structure that once housed the mine's office, capstan, and smithy. Visitors can explore the remnants of the engine houses, including the iconic Crowns engine houses built directly into the base of the cliffs. The site demonstrates the extreme challenges faced by miners who tunneled deep beneath the Atlantic seabed. The Count House now provides interpretative information about the social and industrial history of the mine. It is managed by the National Trust and is located along the South West Coast Path.
The elevated vantage point on the South West Coast Path looking down toward the Crowns engine houses against the backdrop of the Atlantic.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the terrain consists of uneven, steep cliff paths and loose gravel.
Carry a windproof jacket, as the exposed cliffside location experiences high winds even on sunny days.
Bring binoculars to spot the ruins of the Crowns engine houses clearly from the higher viewing points.
Do not attempt to scramble down the cliffs toward the engine houses; the paths are unstable and dangerous.
The Count House visitor facility may have restricted access during winter months; outdoor site remains accessible year-round.
Keep dogs on a lead due to the precipitous cliff drops and grazing livestock; stay strictly on marked paths.
