Morwellham Quay

About the museum

Morwellham Quay was a river port on the Tamar long before the Industrial Revolution. Monks of Tavistock Abbey are said to have set up the quay to carry goods to and from Plymouth, and tin, lead and silver ores passed through it in the Middle Ages. In the 18th century copper was found nearby and the George and Charlotte Mine was opened. A canal from Tavistock to the quay opened in 1817, and an inclined plane powered by a water wheel lowered barges down to the waterside.

The port boomed after 1844, when the mining company Devon Great Consols began shipping copper, and later arsenic, from the quay. Queen Victoria visited in 1856, and the site became known as the richest copper port in her empire. At its peak, a second inclined plane and a new quay handled about 30,000 tons of ore a year. Morwellham became the world's largest supplier of arsenic, but the mines closed in 1903 and railways took over the port's trade.

The quay is now a heritage attraction and a gateway site of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, designated in 2006. Visitors explore the restored village, try on period costume and ride a mine train into the George and Charlotte copper mine. The site also has an indoor soft play centre. After funding was withdrawn in 2009 and the museum went into administration, the BBC series Edwardian Farm was filmed here, and in April 2010 the site was bought by the owners of Bicton Park and reopened to the public.

Highlights

• Mine train ride into the George and Charlotte copper mine
• Restored Victorian port village with audio-visual presentations
• Period costume to try on in the village
• Miners Adventure Play, a large indoor soft play area
• Gateway to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site

Permanent exhibitions

• Mine Train Adventure – A train ride along the River Tamar and deep into the George and Charlotte copper mine, with a 25-minute audio-visual presentation about the Victorian village and the life of a miner.
• Victorian village walkabout – A self-guided visit to the restored quayside village, with audio-visual presentations and period costume to try on.

Admission & discounts

The Village Walkabout ticket (adult £9) covers the village at your own pace with audio-visual presentations, period costume to try on and entry to the Miners Adventure Play area; it is not a guided visit. The all-inclusive ticket adds the mine train and includes a 25-minute audio-visual presentation. Dogs are welcome in the village on a lead for a £1 entry charge.

Accessibility

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

The site has easy wheelchair access to the toilets and reception, but because of its nature there are uneven paths, steps and slopes. Visitors should phone the site for information on disabled access to the mine train.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Miners Adventure Play is one of the largest indoor soft play areas in the South West, for children up to 12, with zones for under-ones, under-fives and older children, climbing frames, slides, ball activities and battery-operated mini cars, plus an outdoor play park. Birthday party packages are offered. In the village children can try on period costume.

Getting there & parking

From Tavistock follow the brown signs on the A390 towards Liskeard and bear left after two miles. From Cornwall follow the A390 towards Tavistock and turn right one mile after Gunnislake Bridge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

A cafe serving freshly prepared food is part of the Miners Adventure Play area, and light refreshments are available in the village. The Ship Inn, a historic quayside inn, serves refreshments, light bites and main meals.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit