Godolphin & Tregonning- Mines, Methodists and China Clay
Today we headed inland for a 5-ish mile walk starting at Godolphin House and heading up Godolphin and Tregonning Hills. The area is rich in mining history and there are some great views over the countryside including Mount's Bay, St Ives Bay and down towards Goonhilly and The Lizard.
The dogs loved chasing around in the bracken, there are mine shafts and disused quarries nearby so caution is needed at times.
It is about a 25 minute drive from Halsetown via Hayle to Godolphin House. The walk together with a diversion to Marazion on the way back, possibly to visit the Godolphin Arms, or St Michael's Mount would make a good day out.
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Looking West from the top of Godolphin Hill over an old engine house and some fields of yellow daffodils. | |
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This stone on Tregonning Hill is to commemorate William Cookworthy who found the first Cornish deposits of china clay on the hill in 1746. Better quality deposits were later discovered in the St Austell area, where the legacy of the china clay industry includes the "cornish alps", The Eden Project and Charleston's historic harbour China clay (Kaolin) is formed from the decomposition of granite rocks. The name Kaolin is derived from the hill in China (Kao-Ling) where it was first mined. China clay is used in the manufacturing of paper, porcelain, paint and plastics. Wheal Martyn near St Austell may be worth a visit for those interested in finding out more.
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| The preaching pit is a sheltered spot for a tea break | ||
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View from the top of Tregonning Hill, looking over Godolphin and across to St Ives bay.
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