Exploring Wheal Coates Tin Mine and Sea Cave

In this video we explore the sea cave and mine workings of Wheal Coates on the North Cornish Coast.
Wheal Coates was started around 1802 and finally shut for good in 1914, and in its peak employed more than 70 people raising both copper and tin.
The main engine house here is Towanroath pumping engine house which once reached a depth of over 600ft (180m) and the workings even extended out under the sea, although the majority of this is now obviously deeply underwater.
We looked at these workings years ago by abseiling in on ropes from above into the massive sea cave, which at the end led to a very small drainage hole into the workings of which was pouring out freezing mine water from the workings above.
From the amount of volume coming out it was suggesting that this was draining quite a sizeable area of abandoned workings, so we had always planned a revisit in some wet gear to see how far into the mine we could actually go.
Sadly the workings don’t lead to anything amazing, but it’s still an interesting and fun trip.
Hopefully you enjoyed this video, don't forget to subscribe and if you have enjoyed this why not take a look at some of my other videos.

[@dougie1325]

I loved that thank you. I read not far from there the radar station Nancekuke became an outstation of Chemical Defence Establishment for the Manufacture of the nerve agent Sarin in a pilot production facility. In 2000 it was reported that former workers at the base had died from exposure and it was alleged that toxic materials had been dumped in nearby mineshafts.

[@royfellows5468]

Hi Ben. I first visited Wheal Coates back in 1986 and several times over the following years. The drainage adit from Toanwrath Shaft breaks into the sea cave about 20 feet up. The hole at the very end of the adit was pushed by me and I found what I remember as a collapsed stope with a big debris pile. I fitted stemples of timber taken from maritime debris in the cave to make a way up.. I got over a fall and could hear water running but had to abort any digging because of VERY bad air. A shame because it probably leads to Water Shaft. In those days the hole you all went up to get in with the water fall inside was under debris and it was only a few feet up at the end of the cave to the adit proper. Changes in currents have mucked it all out.

[@Giovi111]

When you all squeezed through those holes, my claustrophobia went through the roof. Man you all are brave! Thanks for doing this because I’d never have the will to try.

[@StreetZipsSZ]

Nice one, I always wondered what was through that hole with the stream!

[@glyn829]

Brilliant 👍 fantastic exploring well done

[@mpepp9]

So pleased there’s finally a video of someone exploring here. I’ve been coming to the beach for years and was always intrigued about the sea caves and shafts

[@biggerthanacadillac]

I find extreme difficulty in mustering the courage to merely VIEW your stuff LoL.! Brave or what? And as for those 'old timers' who had NO safety gear/headlights etc. etc.. Truly the mind boggles at what they achieved for about £2 per week....like coal miners they were 'supermen' with superwomen keeping the home fires burning. Amazing vids. are yours! 10/10 ....be safe.

[@NicSkerten]

Visited Wheal Coates many times as a teenager back in the late 60s /early 70s - never knew that the cave was the adit exit for the mine workings. Interesting trip to one of the most well known mining spots on the north coast

[@sulray]

Thanks for sharing ,Loved it

[@filtonkingswood]

Top notch!

[@lizdunstan3581]

great vid

[@jobarbery3373]

Amazing always thought what is right up in there , good 👍 work

[@BLUEsurf63]

Love your video's, amazing what's underground there's something quite mystical and haunting with old cornish tin mines on the cliff tops.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Wow, fascinating hidden place, thanks :)

[@Mounhas]

Only been a little way into that cave, you’ve done the rest ! All that plastic garbage is so bad & shows what it’s like along the whole coast.

[@daylightdies7194]

The Cornish just ain’t normal 😁

[@vikkipatis8584]

'Some cave!' Amazing video, can't believe you all squeezed through that gap! My claustrophobia could never. Will share with readers of my novel set here, Return to Blackwater House.

[@timwright8785]

Another good video mate have been in the cave though not up the hole

[@MineExplorerUK]

very cool place this my friend

[@IsabellaBurke]

The colours are just incredible! I always wondered where that shaft led to!