Wheal Luna

Overview

An early opencast tin working on the cliffs above Trevaunance Cove at St Agnes, first recorded in 1528 as Whele Linna. It was working in 1724, 1782 and 1838, and was probably absorbed into its larger neighbour Polberro, with which some of its workings connect.

History

Wheal Luna is an early opencast tin mine on the cliffs above Trevaunance Cove at St Agnes, overlooking the remains of the old harbour. It is the first of a line of ancient tin workings running from the cove through Seal Hole and Polberro towards St Agnes Head. Its first record, in 1528, names it Whele Linna or Wheal Linna, probably from the Cornish for a work by the cove.

The mine was at work in 1724 and 1782, when its tin bounds were often divided between several owners, and it was operating beside the harbour in 1838. At some point it was very likely amalgamated with Polberro, its much larger and richer neighbour, and some of the underground workings were linked.

A fenced section of stoping that opened up again in 1993 nearby is probably connected. A concrete launder across the open workings comes from a later reworking and probably carried waste water from Polberro's 1940s mill out over the cliff.

Geology

Tin worked opencast in the cliffs at the junction of the St Agnes Beacon granite and the surrounding metamorphosed rocks.

Workings

Opencast workings in the cliff with stoping beneath, partly connected underground to Polberro; a later concrete launder crosses the open workings.

Closure

Unknown.

What remains

Open, unconsolidated workings on unstable cliffs beside the coast path, with a fenced area of stoping that reopened in 1993.

The opencast cut, a fenced stope, a nearby quarry and a concrete launder from the later Polberro reworking.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• Polberro Mine — Very likely amalgamated with Polberro, with some underground workings linked; a launder from Polberro's 1940s mill crosses Wheal Luna.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• It was very likely amalgamated with Polberro, and some of the workings were linked. (uncertain) ¹

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• The mine is first recorded in 1528 as Whele Linna or Wheal Linna. ¹
• Wheal Luna is an early example of opencast tin mining. ^1,2
• Wheal Luna was operating beside the harbour at Trevaunance Cove in 1838. ²
• It was very likely amalgamated with Polberro, and some of the workings were linked. (uncertain) ¹
• It lies at the start of the line of ancient tin mines running from Trevaunance Cove towards St Agnes Head. ³

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Explore Cornwall: Wheal Luna — Explore Cornwall
2. (secondary) Cornwall Calling: Wheal Luna Mine — Cornwall Calling
3. (secondary) Tywarnhayle Mine Cornwall (St Agnes area page) — Cornwall Calling

Record created: 11 October 2026 · Last researched: 11 October 2026