Camborne

Camborne is a former mining town in central Cornwall, where Richard Trevithick built and tested the world’s first steam-powered road vehicle in 1801. It sits on the main London Paddington to Penzance rail line and neighbours the Heartlands mining heritage site at Pool, surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage mining sites.

The big draw nearby is Heartlands, the former mine site at Pool between Camborne and Redruth. The park, gardens and independent shops stay open, but the museum, cafe and soft play closed in 2024, and the National Trust is expected to take over the site, so check what is open before you plan around the exhibits. The surrounding area is peppered with UNESCO World Heritage mining sites - engine houses on the skyline are part of the everyday view here. Carn Brea, the rocky hill just south of town, is worth the climb for panoramic views across both coasts on a clear day, with the remains of a hillfort and a medieval castle at the top.

Camborne is well connected by rail on the main London Paddington to Penzance line, making it a practical base if you want to explore the mining coast without paying beach-town prices. The north coast beaches at Portreath and Gwithian are a short drive away, and Falmouth and St Ives are both within easy reach. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real Cornwall.