Poldark Country - Botallack

If you live outside of the UK you may not have heard that we are watching a series called Poldark based on the books by Winston Graham.

I vaguely remember a series years and years ago on the BBC so this is a series of books which have not been over done with remakes.  Hubby is not a big drama fan (although he makes sure that he does not miss an episode of Downton Abby!) but he has enjoyed this series and suggested that we go and find a couple of the locations where the series was filmed. 

With a bit of Googling and armed with our National Trust book we decided to visit two places.

We have visited other Cornish mines in the area and we are not quite sure how we missed this one. There are several mines really close together and as you look back along the coast you can imagine the sight of all of them working in their heyday.  It would have been a very busy section of coastline.

So on a gorgeous day we set off and I was armed with mobile (which has a camera better than my camera and my Samsung Tablet which I use much more since February.

The colours of the sea and sky were the best that I have seen in ages.

The Ore was heated to remove Arsenic and sulphur which was collected in a labyrinth of little tunnels and arches shown above, to leave just the metal.  The chimney at the top helped to suck the air through those little tunnels.

There are several mines in a very small area and the one shown on your left is Wheal Owles and some bits of it was used in the filming.  It does look different in the series so some aspects must have been added to temporarily  make it look like it was in current use rather than as you see it here.

This is the view out to sea and along the coastline.  Dangerous work but this is a stunning area.  Bet it was not quite so nice on a stormy day mind you!

I wonder how on earth they managed to build these mines.  On the other side it is literally straight down!  You have to take it very carefully walking down and my hip did manage it as I took a painkiller before I left but how  women of the day got up and down there in long skirts I will never now. (This is not an area for anyone with sticks, or not steady on their feet.)
 The pathway may have been better then as much appears to have worn or fallen away or become damaged by the elements.  Again on a Stormy windy day this must have been a dreadful place to be and dangerous above ground as well as below.
Sophie asked lots of questions and was able to link the series to an actual area that she lives in.  Sophie also asked about the books as well so perhaps in a year or two that will be next.

The lower mine is much further down that it might look and is no longer accessible.  The day was fascinating and it was good to link it to what is a fictional story but is also linked to a past where there is still evidence of a living that is no longer happening.
If you get a chance to visit Cornwall go on the National Trust Website and there is lots of information there linked to the Poldark series, go along and soak up the history.
xx
PS
Love this Instagram App for multi pictures.