Geevor Mine | Our excursion to a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Junior Summer School group at Geevor Mine

Explore Cornish Mining Heritage with us

Geevor Mine is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to showing the vital role Cornwall’s mining industry played during the Industrial Revolution

It was here that the first steam engines were created, and at its peak, there were 2,000 tin mines across Cornwall.

Geevor is one of the best examples of a Cornish tin mine and on our excursion to Geevor Mine, students get to experience what life was like in a mine and how the metals were extracted from the rocks.

Find out more about Cornwall's mining heritage

Teenage students panning for gems at Geevor Mine

Visit Geevor Tin Mine with Language Tree

Geevor Tin Mine is the last surviving example of a complete 20th-century Cornish tin mine. Unlike the majority of mines that closed in the late 1800s, Geevor was a fully functioning mine until 1990.

These days, Geevor is run by a community cooperative. The highlight of our excursion to Geevor is that the tour is still led by local experts who used to work in the mine. Their knowledge and stories bring so much to the experience for our students.

All part of our Junior Summer School

Students exploring an old tin mine tunnel in Cornwall

A trip to Geevor

By the end of the tour, our students get to see…

Summer school students touring Geevor Tin Mines.

The Dry

This is where the miners would get changed at the start and end of their shifts. Their clothing and belongings have been left here as a reminder of the sudden closure of the mine by Margaret Thatcher. There’s even an iconic piece of graffiti on one of the lockers that reads, “16/2/90 THE END”, that stands as a reminder of that day.

Find out more here

Victory Shaft

This was the main mine shaft for miners, rock and tools to travel in. Students can cram into the lifts used to send men 480 metres underground.

Getting in the lift at Geevor Mine

Find out about Victory Shaft here

Wheal Mexico Underground Mine

Students who are happy to go underground can walk through a real 200 year old mine works. For those who prefer to stay above ground, there’s some beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean to soak in.

Read about Wheal Mexico here

Mineral panning

This fun, interactive activity gives students the chance to practise their panning skills and gather some semi-precious stones. Whatever you find, you get to keep as a souvenir!

Hard Rock Museum

A modern addition to the site, full of interactive exhibits and great information on mining.

Find out about the museum

The entire mine works

From the crushing machines to the shaking tables, Geevor is the largest and best preserved mine in the UK and we get to see it all!

An important and different cultural excursion

Our excursion to Geevor Mine is completely different to many of our other excursions and to what students may experience on other summer school experiences.

Mining permeates all areas of Cornish heritage: the landscape, food, music, folklore and art. Cornish miners are known all over the world and because of this, visiting an actual tin mine and meeting real miners provides students with a crucial insight into Cornish history and culture.

This is why we love taking students to Geevor Mine. It is a trip that never disappoints and is always a brilliant surprise for students

Old miners from Geevor giving a guided tour

Explore Further

We aim to keep you as informed as possible. Take a look at these related pages to dive deeper into this topic.

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Explore Cornish Mining Heritage with us

Visit Geevor Tin Mine with Language Tree