The Crowns engine houses, Botallack, near St Just, Penwith, Cornwall. © HES.
 

 


About Us

World Heritage Status places Cornwall and West Devon’s historic mining landscapes on a par with such international treasures as Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.

The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site bid project was compiled on behalf of a family of organisations and individuals with a shared belief in the value of our mining history. Many of the partners in the WHS own or operate important mining landscapes and attractions, through which the story of Cornish Mining will be made available to the public. The World Heritage Site team have developed a Cornish Mining “brand” within which our partners will operate, based on our internationally important cultural characteristics and the principles and standards expected of a World Heritage Site, although all of the organisations and individuals involved remain independent.

Our role is to promote the Cornish Mining WHS as a distinctive, evolving, living pattern of landscapes, encouraging visitors to explore and learn about the physical, social and cultural aspects of the Cornish and West Devon mining heritage. We will do this by delivering our six brand values, which are:
 

Most organisations in the world have a set of brand values, which can seem completely meaningless. The Cornish Mining WHS believes that the most important thing is the way those values are delivered and bought to life through our and our partners’ activities. This is what we mean:

Innovation and exploration
Cornish Mining WHS organisations believe in continuously learning how to do things better. We will challenge conventional perceptions of industrial heritage and WHS destinations, develop new product and service ideas based on our audiences’ needs, and provide innovative, interactive, educational experiences.

Entrepreneurial and progressive
Like our ancestors, we will also look for new opportunities to “profit” from our mining legacy. This will mean integrating the historic landscape into a modern thriving society, preserving our uniquely important landscape features whilst adapting to meet modern day expectations.

Authenticity and cultural distinctiveness
World Heritage status will require us to ensure that what people experience about Cornish Mining is authentic, accurate and culturally distinctive.

The Cornish Mining landscape is a ’destination’ with its own distinctive history, personality and attitude – spirit, intelligence and integrity. We will encourage interaction with these landscapes and Cornish Mining cultural traditions in sport, arts, music and literature.

Sustaining the environment and economy
World Heritage Status can be used to bring tangible socio-economic benefit to the region. It will attract conservation funding, be a major asset to tourism and contribute to the regeneration of former mining communities.

Mutual endeavour and respect
Built by a partnership of shared interest, Cornish Mining is an example of the value of collective effort. We recognise that the World Heritage Site belongs to and will be delivered by the people and communities of Cornwall and west Devon, and will continue to consult and debate with them about how it should develop.

Broadening horizons internationally
Cornish Mining generated a true “world family”, and a landscape and culture that can be experienced across the globe. With an estimated 6 million people descended from migrant Cornish miners in 175 countries, we will foster relationships with Cornish Mining communities around the world.
 

The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Office team
is based at the Historic Environment Service,
Percuil Building, Old County Hall, Truro, TR1 3AY, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

For more information, contact the World Heritage Site Project Co-ordinator.
Tel: + 44 (0)1872-323603 
Email: hes@cornwall.gov.uk

 
News & Press
WHS Newsletter Autumn 07
Downloads LINKS Site Map Last Updated: 28/4/2008

© Cornwall & Scilly Historic Environment Service 2008