East Pool Mine

About the museum

Tin mining at East Pool began in the late seventeenth century, when the area was known as Tregajorran and belonged to the Basset family. The mine was reopened in 1835 in search of copper, and in 1897 it merged with the neighbouring Wheal Agar to become East Pool and Agar United after a dispute over pumping had flooded the workings. In 1913 the business became East Pool & Agar Limited, known as EPAL, and its name is built into the brickwork of the 110-foot chimney that still stands over the site.

Two engine houses survive. Michell's Engine House held a winding engine of 1887, the last whim engine built in Cornwall. After a rock fall closed the old shaft in 1921, a new shaft was sunk and Taylor's Engine House was built to hold a huge second-hand pumping engine, one of the largest Cornish engines left in existence, with a cast-iron beam about ten metres long. The engine kept working until 1954, nine years after mining stopped in 1945.

The engine was bought for preservation by an American steam historian and passed to the Cornish Engines Preservation Society, which gave East Pool Mine to the National Trust in 1967. Today the site is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Visitors are guided through a brick flue tunnel to the base of the chimney, see old boilers, mining machinery and a cage, watch a short film on Cornish mining and can climb Michell's Engine House.

Highlights

• Taylor's Engine House with one of the largest Cornish pumping engines (currently closed for roof repairs)
• Michell's Engine House, the last whim engine house built in Cornwall
• Walk through the brick flue tunnel to the base of the EPAL chimney
• Film on the story of Cornish mining, shown every half hour
• Part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site

Permanent exhibitions

• East Pool Mine site and flue tunnel – A guided visit through the mine buildings, the brick flue tunnel to the EPAL chimney, old boilers and mining machinery.
• Michell's Engine House – The last whim engine house built in Cornwall, with a climb to the bob-loft doors and views over the former mining landscape.

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Free entry for National Trust members. Prices shown are without Gift Aid. The National Trust also sells an Explorer Pass for visitors to Cornwall.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

East Pool Mine is an industrial site with loose gravel paths, steep steps and uneven ground. Taylor's engine house is reached by a steep set of steps, and both engine houses have narrow stairs between floors. The Compressor House is reached by a ramp. An accessible portable toilet is on site, parking for visitors with limited mobility is immediately outside reception (reached via Trevithick Road), and seating is available. An induction loop, large print and Braille guides are listed. Only assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Leave the A30 at Camborne East or Redruth, follow signs on Agar Road (A3047) and enter through the Morrisons car park. National Cycle Network route 3 is within ½ mile. what3words: pass.stowing.rainy.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small second-hand bookshop specialises in mining, Cornish and historical books. There is a picnic area with benches but no cafe is mentioned on site; Morrisons supermarket is next to the car park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit