King Edward Mine Museum seeks more volunteer guides to bring Cornish mining heritage to life

With many visitor attractions struggling to survive, one Cornish heritage site is bucking the trend and faces a uniquely different challenge.

As a volunteer-led charity which forms part of the UNESCO Mining World Heritage Area of Cornwall, King Edward Mine Museum (KEM) is seeking to recruit more tour guides to bring the county’s mining heritage to life.

This will enliven the experience of an ever-increasing number of visitors who wish to step back in time to the golden days of Cornish innovation and immerse themselves in Cornwall’s industrial past.

Visit Cornwall described 2024 as the flattest year they can remember, attributing a decline in visitors to a combination of poor weather, the general election and cost of living pressures.

In contrast, KEM experienced a 30% uplift in visitor numbers last year, many of whom had travelled from overseas to marvel at the dramatic piece of Cornish world history that this heritage asset represents.

KEM is dedicated to sharing the history of mining on the Great Flat Lode – the mineral-rich body of rock beneath the southern granite slopes of Carn Brea.

Set within a Grade II* listed mining complex near the village of Troon near Camborne, KEM tells the extraordinary stories of Cornish miners; and maintains and operates a unique collection of functioning historic mining equipment, including an operational Cornish tin mill and Holman winding engine. The Museum also houses thousands of items of historical interest from photographs and documents to rare clothing worn by Bal Maidens.

KEM also looks ahead to the resurgence of Cornish mining as a key driver in the UK’s transition towards clean power and Net Zero. It aims to inspire the next generation to become part of the county’s re-emerging mineral industry with its focus on the environmentally-responsible extraction of lithium and other battery metals for electric cars, rechargeable electronic devices and renewable power storage.

“The demand for guided tours by our enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers was such last year that we added Saturdays to our usual four-day opening from Sunday to Thursday,” explains KEM Trustee, Carol Richards. “That became our busiest day, so we are planning new initiatives for the 2025 season to make us even more attractive as a destination for families and community groups.”

These include the production of a recorded commentary and revised leaflet for those who may have visited before or prefer to self-guide, as well as new signage that explains traditional mining methods

and highlights the work involved in restoring one of the last wooden headframes in the county, which KEM plans to erect over its main mineshaft later this year.

“We receive glowing reviews on Google and Trip Advisor for the quality of our guided tours, which engage visitors of all ages, and our new audio guide will free up volunteers to host more of these at peak times,” adds Carol. “With growing interest in the Industrial Revolution that spanned the 18th and 19th centuries as well as in the resurgence of modern-day mining in Cornwall that will provide the critical minerals we need for a sustainable future, KEM has a compelling tale to tell. If we successfully recruit more volunteers to help us share the story of Cornish mining, we can further enhance the visitor experience and welcome even more people through our doors in 2025.”

To find out more about King Edward Mine Museum and how to become a volunteer guide or receptionist, help out in Reception or become our new volunteer Shop Manager for 2026, please visit www.kingedwardmine.co.uk