Cultural Devon / Cultural Attractions in Devon / Devon Engineering and Industrial Archaeology

Devon Engineering and Industrial Archaeology

Devon, with its glorious scenery and amazing attractions, today thrives on its reputation as an idyllic playground, but look back a century or so, and the county was alive with quarries, mines and mills.

Central to Devon's mining industry was the Tamar Valley, now a part of the Cornwall and West Devon World Heritage Site. Tin, silver, lead and copper were all mined around here and Morewellham Quay was a thriving port sending the ores around the world.

A hundred years ago Fremington Quay, too, was a bustling centre for trade in china clay, coal and other minerals all over the world; now it enjoys a peaceful life as a visitor centre and wildlife reserve.

If you think Dartmoor is just wonderful untouched countryside, think again: it's one of the most important archaeological landscapes in England, once home to dozens of industrial activities. Disused quarries, traces of mines and tramways, spoil heaps and abandoned ruins bear witness to years of endeavour. Follow the Templer Way along a disused tramway to explore some of Dartmoor's industrial past.