Redruth’s mining heritage is reflected in its collections, historic trading places and traces across the landscape. Kresen Kernow is located on the site of the historic Redruth Brewery, in the heart of the Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site. It houses the Cornwall Record Office, the Cornish Studies Library and the Cornwall & Scilly Historic Environment Record. The institution preserves more than 1.5 million items, including manuscripts, books, documents and photographs. Here, you can explore Cornwall’s industrial history from several perspectives.

Mining, Trade and Gaslight

In the 19th century, Redruth became the centre of Cornwall’s tin and copper mining industry. The old Mining Exchange was a place where bids were made for copper and tin. Murdoch House offers another perspective on local technological history: it was the first building in the world to be lit by gaslight. Today, the house is available for community events and gatherings. Together, the metals trade, the history of lighting and its present-day use by the community emerge as distinct themes.

Films and Events at the Regal Cinema

The Regal Cinema has been an entertainment venue since the 1930s. Its 500-seat auditorium serves both as a cinema showing current blockbusters and as a stage for performances by well-known names and local talent. If you want to plan around a particular screening or performance, check the current programme, as it may change.

Experience Tin and Choose Pearls

Tolgus Mill is described as Cornwall’s last working tin mill; check before your visit whether it is still operating. Visitor offerings may change; before your visit, check whether you can still learn how tin is extracted from a stream running through the park and how the tin ore is then smelted on site to make unique Cornish jewellery.

Cornwall Pearl offers a Pick-a-Pearl experience: visitors choose a pearl from an oyster and learn what makes it unique as it is classified. Other activities include gold panning, Create & Paint and Bear Works. Operating status and visitor offerings may change; check in advance which activities are available on the day of your visit.

Along the Great Flat Lode Trail

The Great Flat Lode Trail is a 7.5-mile (12 km) multi-use route that circles Carn Brea. It passes through a mix of farmland and heathland, with the remains of numerous mining buildings along the way. Carn Brea hill overlooks the former industrial towns of Redruth and Camborne in central Cornwall. Unlike a collection, here you encounter the mining heritage through the landscape and the remains of the buildings.

Getting Here and Planning Your Stay

Redruth railway station is on a main line. Services and timetables may change; check them for your travel date. Redruth Visitor Centre is located in Redruth Civic Centre on Alma Place. If you are planning a specific visit, it is worth checking the current location details. If you are looking for a hotel in Redruth, you can first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on cultural history and events or on a multi-use route.

Discover more destinations: Duloe, Downderry, Budock Water, Morval, Bodmin, Boscastle, Liskeard, Altarnun

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.