Wheal Coates was in operation in 1802 and worked
intermittently until 1889 with a reworking 1911-13. The site is
notable for its trio of engine houses for winding pumping and
stamping. All three stand in a cliff-side setting.
Wheal Coates is in the care of the National Trust, which has
consolidated all the built structures. These buildings date from
the 1870s. In addition there is a wide range of mining archaeology
surviving amongst the heathland, including an early and
well-preserved open-working on a tin lode and an unusual
double-bayed reverberatory calciner.
In the vicinity of nearby Beacon Cottage there are
the remains of pits where candle clay was worked. This was
supplied to the mining industry to fix candles onto the miners’
felt hats.
