Caradon Hill

Caradon Hill rises on Bodmin Moor in east Cornwall. It stands 371 metres above sea level near the villages of Minions, Upton Cross, Pensilva and Darite. The south-eastern slope of the moor gives the hill its position and wide views. Copper mining once shaped the land around its base. Tin and granite were also worked here in earlier centuries. The South Caradon Copper Mine, one kilometre to the south-west, was the largest copper mine in the country during the second half of the 19th century. The remains of the mines form part of Crow’s Nest Site of Special Scientific Interest. Wheal Phoenix, a disused copper and tin mine, is well known among mineral collectors. Its Prince of Wales engine house still stands as a landmark above the ruins. Wheal Phoenix and other mine sites scatter the lower slopes of Caradon Hill. These relics show the scale of industry that once took place on this moorland. The television mast for Caradon Hill transmitting station sits close to the summit. From the top, visitors can see across Bodmin Moor and beyond. The ruined engine house and scattered mine buildings lie within easy walking distance. The contrast between the old industrial remains and the open moorland creates a striking landscape. The site offers a quiet place to explore Cornwall’s mining past and wild upland scenery.