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Children cannot be carried underground due to regulations and health & safety reasons. Those admitted must not be disruptive and must wear a hard hat at all times. All have to walk for the entire underground tour.
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Children under 4 may not be admitted underground and need to be at least one metre tall.[some discretion may apply] The decision made by the Mine Captain is final.
We regret that the underground mine tours are unsuitable for those in wheelchairs, with walking frames or sticks, expectant mothers, persons who are blind, persons who suffer from epilepsy, back sufferers, for those with respiratory or heart conditions, for those who have walking difficulties or some registered disabled persons.
What SORT OF SHOES are needed?
Please ensure that you wear suitable stout walking shoes or trainers or you may NOT be allowed to take a mine tour. High heels, wedges, ballet shoes, light or flimsy shoes, sandals & flip flops, open toe or open heel footwear CANNOT be worn in the mine [more details below]. This is for your personal safety.
IS THE MINE LIT ??
YES - MAIN MINE PATHFINDER TOUR A is electrically lit throughout with a low-voltage 150v DC system and has the added backup of an automatic battery-operated 24 volt emergency lighting system in the unlikely event of any mains power failure. Several bright yellow underground telephones are fitted in the mine for operational and emergency purposes.
The DEEP MINE ADVENTURE TOUR B is lit by each person wearing genuine Miners Hat lamps with a light weight battery pack that will be strapped to your waist.[This equipment is from the now closed Kellingley Colliery in Yorkshire known as Big K - the very last deep coal mine in the UK]. The mine lights will be off but the emergency lights will automatically operate immediately in the event of any power failure.
HOW MANY STEPS ARE THERE?
Main Mine Pathfinder Tour A has about 40 downward steps and 53 upward steps.
THE DEEP MINE ADVENTURE TOUR B has about 75 downward steps and 83 upward steps.
WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS & WHY?
All restrictions are due to health and safety, security, comfort, privacy, the safety of others, mining regulations, insurance restrictions, terrorism and other risks. Common sense is another factor.
Bags, backpacks, cameras, ipads, dvd players, transistors, laptops, mobile or cell phones on sticks or otherwise, lamps or torches or toys, are NOT allowed
Photography is NOT permitted in the mine and all electrical gadgets are forbidden.
Flash or video photography of any type is not permitted anywhere in the grounds or museum.
Commercial Photography of any type or to post on the internet attracts a fee - please contact us to discuss.
Water bottles, sweet papers, wrappers are not allowed - please leave all such items locked securely in the boot of your car or at home - eating or drinking in the mine is not allowed - see detailed notes below about suitable footwear and other restrictions.
Intoxicated persons or those who seem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed into the mine.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS?
Both hands will be needed in the mine for the handrails when negotiating our stairs - this is for your personal safety and to ensure that you do not trip or fall on another person or child.
There are lots of steps and stair handrails. Three or four levels of the mine are explored depending on which tour is taken.
Many visitors do not want to be filmed, photographed or videoed for privacy reasons. Flash can trigger off an involuntary reaction, momentarily blind people or our guides which could cause an accident. It is also a nuisance to some individuals. Bats live in remote parts of the old workings and its illegal to photograph them.
MAY WE PRE-BOOK?
YES! To save delay you may pre-book before your visit - by telephone 01326 573 173 - Booking office is only open when the mine is open from 10.30 am - from Easter to the end of September the booking office is open DAILY [except on Sundays, Mondays & some Tuesdays] FROM 10.30am - 1.30pm except on Good Friday or Flora Day in May. When should I book?
The deep mine tour MUST be booked at least ONE hour in advance or preferably a week in advance.
HOW LONG DOES THE DEEP MINE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE TOUR B TAKE?
This tour takes about 90 minutes.
WHAT TIME IS THE LATEST CHECK IN TIME for the DEEP MINE ADVENTURE TOUR?
The Deep Mine ADVENTURE Tour B Arrival time is 60 minutes before advertised time as the museum & grounds will close at end of tour and it takes time to pay and have lamps fitted - we call this Lamping Up - if you want to explore the Cornish Heritage Collection museum please arrive at least one hour earlier. The minimum check in time is 30 minutes before the advertised tour time.
It should be noted that this tour is [on very rare occasions] subject to cancellation at short notice. In the unusual event that a cancellation needs to be made, a full refund will be made if payment has been made in advance.
WHAT ARE THE GENERAL OPENING TIMES?
In general we are open from April to the end of October. This may change, please check this official page before visiting. We are usually closed on Sundays & Mondays, Good Friday, Flora Day [usually the 8th May - this is St Michaels Day and annual world famous Furry Dance in Helston], - in early and late season open days can be three, four or five days each week. We are open on some but not all Bank Holiday Mondays and for special events - check the web site or our facebook pages for details of Easter & Half Term opening days.
- The Cornish Heritage Collection, Scheduled Ancient Monument, grounds and our visitors car park are usually open from 10.30am to 1.30pm** - ** last admission to museum being one hour before closing - we advise you to check the times before travelling. In the winter months we will be closed except for groups from universities, schools colleges & other private charters.
Please explain about the MAIN MINE PATHFINDER TOUR A?
The Main Mine Pathfinder Tour A - this is a guided tour that explores three levels of the mine and takes about 65 minutes. Two Stopes are seen (A stope is a kind of deep shaft where the tin ore has been removed.
There are about 40 downward steps and 53 upward steps. Everyone needs to be reasonably fit.
Children should over the age of 4 years and at least one metre [3 feet] in height. Booking in advance is not essential for this tour but at busy times is strongly recommended. The main electric lights in the mine are used for this tour. The emergency lights in the mine will remain in use at all times.
CAN I MAIL POSTCARDS FROM THE MINE?
YES! Towards the end of the underground tour the Holman Chamber is visited where the unique George V underground Royal Mail post box is situated and was placed here by the General Post Office over 40 years ago. Postcards mailed in the box have a special franking mark applied.
DO YOU SUPPORT ANY CHARITY?
YES we do. Our underground wishing well is close by the last section of the mine and all donations are given to the Cornwall Air Ambulance. You will also find donation boxes for other charities in the museum, the hallways and ticket office area. All are protected by CCTV coverage.
Please explain about the DEEP MINE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE TOUR B?
The DEEP MINE ADVENTURE TOUR B is an hour and half guided tour that is restricted to fit adults only, children must be over the age of 10. Booking in advance is required. The main lights in the mine are turned off for this tour, all visitors are issued with genuine miners battery powered headlamps which add to the atmosphere of the guided tour. Our lamps & equipment came from Kellingley Colliery [Big K], the last deep coal mine to work in the UK, the names of the original miners remain on the charging apparatus racks in our Lamp Room. The emergency lights in the mine will remain in use. Four levels of the mine are explored right down to the depths of 4 Level just above the main mine pump sump at 5 Level. The guided tour takes 90 minutes or thereabouts.
There are about 75 downward steps and 83 upward steps, some of which are steep.
The main Stope Shaft of the mine is visited which is most impressive with its several flights of stairs and landings fitted into the original contours of the working which was excavated by hand during the 1700s. The miners tool marks can still be seen throughout the 200 foot shaft.
The two other stope shafts date from the 1700s are also seen during tours. Towards the end of the underground tour the Holman Chamber is reached where the unique George V underground Royal Mail post box is situated.
How do I book for the DEEP MINE ADVENTURE TOUR B?
Bookings for Deep Mine Adventure Tour B can only be made by telephone or during a personal visit in advance. Numbers allowed are limited so booking a week in advance by telephone is recommended to avoid disappointment - especially during wet weather periods.
WHAT SORT OF CLOTHES & SHOES SHOULD I WEAR?
Mining conditions are presented at all times during underground tours. Please ensure for your personal safety that you wear suitable washable clothing - the ideal being an old pair of full length denim jeans, stout sensible waterproof walking shoes, Wellington boots or trainers.
Shorts, half length trousers, culottes, cropped jeans or trousers or similar are most inappropriate for a Main Mine Tour A visit and will NOT be allowed on Deep Mine Tour B visits.
Flimsy shoes, flip flops, high heels, wedges, open toe sandals, open heel sandals or lightweight house shoes are entirely unsuitable & will NOT be allowed on either tour.
HARD HATS
This is a hard granite rock mine and we provide hard hats which must be worn at all times even in the Briefing Room and need to be adjusted for a correct fit. If you bend down in the mine for any reason and your hat falls off, make sure you put it back on your had BEFORE standing back up.
We will provide a new white disposable skull cap to wear on your head under the hard hat for hygiene reasons - just ask the guide for one - these are free and can be taken home. We can also provide a disposable coverall suit for a modest charge of £2 which you can take home - again just ask at reception or speak to the mine guide.
CAN I BRING ANY BAGGAGE, CAMERAS OR OTHER THINGS INTO THE MINE?
Sorry - NO - We regret that none of the following are allowed ....Handbags, backpacks, cameras, ipads, dvd players, transistors, selfie sticks, laptops,
mobile or cell phones, water bottles, harnesses, walking sticks, crutches, walkers are NOT allowed underground, photography is NOT permitted in the mine.
WHY?
Both hands are needed in the mine when negotiating our many stairs & bags or straps can catch in some places or be restrictive in any narrow areas - a small handbag (no cash or cards) may be left in reception at your own risk, purses or wallets together with any cards, travel documents or money should preferably be in a deep zipped or clipped coat pocket. Lockers can be provided at your own risk for baggage but do not leave cash or any valuables in lockers.
CAR KEYS - We recommend that car and other keys are safely secured in a zipped or clipped deep pocket in case they are accidentally dropped in the mine.
WHAT IS SENSIBLE ATTIRE? - what are Mine Conditions?
Our motto is BE PREPARED ... but not for a fashion parade! ..... This is a very real subterranean tin mine that extends to several levels. All mines in Cornwall had a water problem, you will see the ruins of many engine pumping houses & their chimneys all over the county, there were thousands at one time. All 3,500 known Cornish mines are now completely flooded and when working were very wet & muddy, we are no exception.
Wheal Roots Tin Mine at The Poldark Mine is the only authentic 18th century tin mine open to the public that pumps water today and is the only mine in Cornwall that has been doing so since the 1970s. We raise between 20 to 25 million gallons (circa 100 million litres) of water out of the mine each year, thats around 50-60thousand litres a day .... the mine is wet & sometimes muddy underfoot so trainers are best or a good waterproof walking shoe or wellies.
Water drips in most areas of the mine, following wet weather water literally gushes out of fissures in the rock in certain places and you may get splashed - so a showerproof washable jacket is recommended.
There is rust [iron oxide] and ochre on the walls in places which might get on your clothing, do try to avoid brushing against the walls and ensure that you come prepared for a mine visit by wearing washable clothing, full length jeans and stout footwear.
The powerful automatic water pumps in the depths of the mine make loud noises every few minutes and echo around the shafts and passageways. These percussive sounds are made without any warning so do please be aware of this to avoid being startled!
IN BRIEF & IN GENERAL......
RESTRICTIONS - Due to the risk of FIRE & for the SECURITY, COMFORT & SAFETY of all VISITORS... We very much regret that CAMERAS, MOBILE CELL PHONES, PCs, KINDLES, & PADS or any similar or other electronic devices, radios, music players, bottles with liquids or sprays, sharps or knives, penknives, handbags, backpacks, weapons or imitation weapons, sticks, crutches etc are NOT allowed into the mine or beyond the ticket desk in our museum.
Matches, lighters, smoking materials, e-cigarettes [including vapes] or any other combustibles, are NOT allowed anywhere in the mine, our gardens or car parks - we are a 100% SMOKE FREE ZONE.
NO PLASTIC BOTTLES PLEASE - PLASTIC FREE ZONE - for the last SEVEN YEARS we have been doing our little bit for the environment means that we do not approve of plastic bottles and ask that you refrain from bringing them here. They will not be allowed into our gardens or the mine - not only for environmental reasons but also to ensure that bottle tops and plastics are not taken into the mine which could jam the mine pumps.
To avoid delays at the ticket desk, please ensure that you leave all such RESTRICTED items & devices in your car boot or at home. Flash & VIDEO photography is NOT permitted anywhere in the grounds and photography of any kind is not allowed in the mine. Both hands will be needed in the mine when negotiating our stairs. Please do not take sweet papers or any plastic bottles, paper or foil wrappers into the mine. Walking sticks, crutches or walking frames are NOT permitted into the mine.
CHILDREN
It should be noted that the minimum age for children is over 3 to 4 years at the discretion of the Mine Captain or the mine guide. [The term Mine Captain is the Cornish designation for a Mine Manager] Children need to be well behaved and calm during their mine visit. Children cannot be carried in the mine or be put into back or front pouches or harnesses. Hard hats have to be worn by all persons & children at all times in the mine without exception.
REGULATIONS MINE REGULATIONS, security measures and other restrictions are to avoid nuisance to others, delay, fire, acts of terrorism. These are in place to ensure your personal safety & security and that of others. Apart from the mine regulations and modern day terrorism risks, both hands will be needed in the mine when negotiating our many stairs.
CAN WE BRING PICNICS?
YES, we are delighted to see the gardens being used for picnics - Visitors may use the the bandstand in low season, or in summer there are picnic tables on the lower lawn, all that we ask in return is that you take home ALL of your personal food wrapping, papers and food waste and do not use our bins. If you have a picnic the picnic bag may be left in a locker or at the ticket office and collected after your mine tour. If you are visiting for the deep mine tour, you will need to enjoy your picnic well before the tour starts and return your bag to reception before going underground, you can then retrieve it on your way out. A limited range of crisps, chocolate & sweets is available. Chilled glass bottled water, fizzy glass bottled drinks & local ices are usually available. Whenever our tea room is open during summer months picnics may NOT be taken on the tea lawn or bandstand which are reserved for visitors using our refreshment facilities but there are several picnic tables elsewhere which you will be most welcome to use. For security and the safety of all, there are CCTV cameras that monitor & record all areas of the car park, grounds, museum, ticket office & sales area.
DO YOU HAVE CONCESSIONS?
YES - We offer a modest discount for less abled people and local resident couples with TR (NOT PL) postcodes who will need to produce a driving licence or some other acceptable ID with a photo and address with a TR postcode for each adult, CONCESSIONS ARE NOT available on the 11 am tour or when there is a special event.
No discount is available in conjunction with any other offer or special events.
DAILY PERSONAL RESERVATIONS for Main Mine Pathfinder Tour A NEED TO BE MADE BY TELEPHONE no more than 48 hours in advance. - We DO NOT require prepayment - 01326 573 173 - please avoid disappointment and do not e-mail reservations as we usually do not have sufficient time to look at our e-mail every day due to busy times and the reliance on our volunteers from time to time.
GROUP & PRIVATE CHARTER BOOKINGS Charters for groups are welcome at any reasonable time and booking enquiries should be made well in advance by telephone and followed up with an e-mail & all pertinent details. Prepayment will probably be required.
CAR PARK Our car park is free but only for visitors to the mine who pay for admission to the gardens & museum or take a guided mine tour. It is not a car park to be used for any other purpose, please do not leave your car in our car park and go for a walk unless you have obtained a pre-paid car park ticket from our booking office. DOGS are NOT permitted in the car park and must NOT be allowed out of your car. We are a Wildlife PROTECTED ZONE.
The turning apron in front of our gates is the private property of Poldark Demesne and is a coach and bus turning space only. It is also the Poldark Mine Bus Stop and is used by regular daily public & school bus services to and from the next village to Helston, Falmouth and other destinations.
CCTV - Please note that for the safety and security purposes of all visitors that the car park, coach turning area, gardens and grounds are monitored by a number of 24 hour security cameras (CCTV) and images are recorded and held for up to 3 months.
