A holiday rental home or holiday cottage in Camborne put you at the heart of its mining heritage
Camborne (not to be confused with Cambourne in Cambridge) is one of the largest towns in Cornwall and is located in the far west, close to Pool and Redruth. Camborne, or Crooked Hill as it is known, was once one of the richest tin and copper mining towns in the world, but prior to the eighteenth century, Camborne Churchtown was no more than a hamlet bordered by moorland.
Places to holiday in Camborne
Camborne's mines are now all closed, but the area is still littered with evidence of this lost age and the results of its rapid expansion can be seen in the numerous miners' cottages in the area. These days Camborne has become an interesting holiday destination and a "Town Trail" guides visitors and introduces them to the many interesting buildings that might otherwise be missed in the hustle and bustle of this busy town centre.
Tourism has led the locals to find a new use for the town's miners cottages and the country cottages on its outskirts. many have been renovated to play their new role as a holiday cottage. Renting a self-catering cottage is an ideal way to learn about Camborne's mining heritage and as a base to explore Cornwall's countryside, towns, the city of Truro and surfing hot spots such as Perranporth, Newquay and Bude.
Outside the library is a statue of Richard Trevithick who invented the steam engine, twelve years before Stevenson made his Rocket and the town celebrates his accomplishments each year with the Trevithick Day festival. The sharp granite ridge at Carn Brea, more than seven hundred feet above sea level, dominates the area and has a ninety-foot monument to Francis Basset. It also has a small medieval castle and is one of the earliest known Neolithic settlements in Southern Britain.
Things to do in Camborne
There are some excellent walks in the Camborne and Redruth areas, like to Portreath or the St Agnes Beacon, Blue hills or St Agnus cliffs. Anglers will enjoy fishing at Argal Reservoir, Stithians Lake and Bussow Reservoir and boating is a pleasure at Falmouth on the River Fal or the scenic Helford River.
The King Edward Mine Museum is the oldest complete mine shaft in existence in Cornwall and it is sited in a World Heritage Area. As well as being an excellent museum to visit it has a network of mineral tramways activity trails suited to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. The Shire horse and Carriage Museum at Treskillard offers a variety of attractions and has some handsome Shires, Suffolk Punch and Clydesdale horses.
Camborne is the home of the world famous Camborne School of Mines, which is now part of Exeter University. It also has a literary institute, geological museum and art gallery. Portreath is only three miles from your holiday cottage and is a popular surfing resort. Camborne Trevithick Day is a festival held in April and there is a parade of steam engines through the town and dancers, performers, a flower festival, fairground rides, vintage vehicles and the Camborne Town Band. The Camborne Show is held in July at Gwealavellen Farm near Coombe and has a wide range of entertainment, trade stands, show jumping, a craft marque and much more.
Weather Camborne
Camborne's climate is mild and being inland it does not suffer from coastal mists or the cold winds from the Atlantic Ocean.
Travel to Camborne
Plymouth and Newquay airports serve Camborne. It is on the mainline railway from Paddington to Penzance and National Express runs direct from London. First and Truronian buses operate in the area.
