Liskeard Unlocked - Walk to Discover The Workplaces and Stories of Liskeard Miners
Unmade parking area, Tokenbury Corner, Pensilva, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 5PJ
When miners first arrived from West and Mid Cornwall to work in the newly discovered copper mines around Caradon Hill they lived in Liskeard and walked the seven miles return journey to work.
News of the discovery of copper around Caradon Hill in the 1830s attracted miners from the parts of Cornwall where mines were closing and workers were being laid off. A move to Liskeard was less daunting than emigration to the Americas, South Africa and Australiasia, as many other Cornishmen did. The tiny rural villages around Caradon Hill, such as St Cleer and Pensilva, had no accommodation to offer them. Rather live in tents on Bodmin Moor, the newcomers initially lived in quickly erected basic rows of small cottages, called Courts, in Liskeard such as Cook’s Court in Barn Street and Martin’s Court in West Street. Until house building started in the closer to work villages, miners had to walk three and a half miles before and after their ten hour shift. The walk will centre round South Caradon Mine, their main employer, and hear something of their lives.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 15 September:
- 1400
Location & directions
Unmade parking area, Tokenbury Corner, Pensilva, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 5PJ
- Directions:
- The starting point for the walk is the unmade parking area at Tokenbury Corner which is 4 miles North East of Liskeard on the B3254 at map reference SX2803369636, half a mile West of Pensilva village centre.
- Contact on day:
- Brian Oldham
- Telephone number:
- +447950113770
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Booking is essential by contacting the Liskeard Tourist Information Centre, Pike Street, Liskeard, PL14 3JE.
- Booking contact name:
- Tourist Information Centre
- Booking telephone number:
- +441579349148
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking opens:
- 19 Aug 2024 10:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 12 Sep 2024 01:00 PM
Accessibility details
The distance walked is approx. 3 miles, but will last about 2 hours with stops at several sites.
Additional information
The route is on unmade tracks with some short uphill sections. Footwear suitable for uneven surfaces is recommended, as is dress for the weather conditions as there is no shelter. Bring water and sunscreen.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 25
- Est. tour duration:
- 2 hour(s)
