Redruth

From its earliest days as a small market town, Redruth became the centre of Cornwall’s tin and copper mining industry during the 19th century. At the time this was the largest and richest metal mining area in the UK and the landscape around the town would have been a mass of engine houses belching out smoke and fumes.

Being very much part of the industrial revolution, this part of Cornwall fielded inventors and entrepreneurs such as William Murdoch, the pioneer of gas lighting, It also became a radical heartland for Methodism and social change and saw the mass emigration of families taking their mining expertise and Cornish culture right across the world in the late1800s.

The name Redruth is said to be derived from the fact that by the 14th century the stream running along the bottom of Fore Street was so discoloured with iron oxide from tinning activities that it ran red. Hence Redruth, the Cornish for ford is Rhys and red is Ruth.

As you walk around Redruth there are echoes of its prosperous and important past with many grand commercial buildings lining the streets. These include the old Mining Exchange where bidding for copper and tin took place, the Victorian theatre and the Coffee Tavern. Today these buildings are home to many antique, curio and vintage clothing shops.

At the bottom of the town in the old brewery you will find Kresen Kernow, the new purpose built records office for Cornwall's history and archives. Whether you're interest is academic or you just want to know where your grandfather was born, the staff should be able to help.

Towering over Redruth, the long ridge of Carn Brea offers great views across the surrounding countryside with natural rock formations to discover, Bronze age hut circles and the impressive monument to Francis Bassett.