Carharrack

Settlement in Cornwall

England

Carharrack

Mine remains in Poldice Valley Credit: Chris Andrews

Carharrack is a small village located in the county of Cornwall, in the southwestern part of England. Nestled in the heart of the countryside, Carharrack is situated about 7 miles southeast of the town of Redruth and approximately 5 miles northwest of the city of Truro.

With a population of around 1,500 people, Carharrack exudes a charming and picturesque atmosphere. The village is characterized by its traditional stone-built houses, giving it a quintessentially Cornish feel. The surrounding landscape is dominated by rolling hills, offering breathtaking views of the countryside.

Carharrack is known for its rich mining heritage, which dates back to the 19th century. The village was once a thriving center for tin and copper mining, and remnants of this industrial past can still be seen in the form of old mine buildings and engine houses scattered throughout the area.

Today, Carharrack is a quiet and close-knit community, with a range of amenities to cater to its residents. These include a primary school, a community center, a local pub, and a village shop. The village also boasts several walking and cycling routes, allowing residents and visitors to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Overall, Carharrack offers a peaceful and idyllic setting, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a rural retreat in the heart of Cornwall.

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Carharrack Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.228867/-5.182529 or Grid Reference SW7341. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mine remains in Poldice Valley

Chris Andrews

St Day's new church was the old Sunday School

SMJ

St Piran's Church, Carharrack

SMJ

St Weneppa's church, Gwennap

The detached tower of St Weneppa's church.

Dave Kelly

Hillside Terrace, from the junction with Pennance Road

Graham Loveland

St. Day: the post office

The post office, in Fore Street, retains a traditional looking frontage and unlike many these days is not part of a general village store. There has been a post office in St. Day since 1830.

Chris Downer

St. Day: postbox № TR16 62, Fore Street

The off-centre positioning of the collection plate is a giveaway that this postbox was designed for a post office frontage - and that is indeed the case, within the window of SW7242 : St. Day: the post office.

Chris Downer

Gwennap Pit

John Wesley preached here.

Chris Allen

Old Railway Track

Sections of the track of the Redruth and Chacewater Railway. The track was not laid on wooden sleepers, but rather on granite "chairs" set in the ground. In this shot there are actually two generations of track. Nearer the camera the track is the original style, from when the wagons were horse-drawn. Further from the camera the track is of a heavier cross section, installed when steam locomotives replaced horses.

Graham Loveland

The Shute

The Shute, on the eponymous Shute Hill, flows non-stop regardless of the level of rainfall. Reputedly it has never been known to dry up. The water is believed to originate from ground water under the mass of Carn Marth, to the west, and is potable. People still come to fill containers from it. In days gone by villagers from Carharrack would come here not just to collect water but also to do the weekly wash. Old photographs show the shute looking just the same as it does now.

Graham Loveland

Farmland on the lower slopes of Carn Marth

Looking broadly towards Lanner, though Lanner itself is hidden in the valley.

Graham Loveland

Farmland on the lower slopes of Carn Marth

Looking broadly north east, towards United Downs and the site of the former refuse tip. The white sheds in the distance, near the skyline, are on the United Downs industrial estate. The light coloured field is the site of the former tip, now being grassed over. The house slightly right of middle was once a barn.

Graham Loveland

Bridleway near Carharrack

Graham Loveland

Bridleway on Carn Marth

Graham Loveland

Scrub on the slopes of Carn Marth

Looking towards United Downs Industrial Estate (white sheds) and the former refuse tip (light coloured field). Carharrack village nestles in the middle left.

Graham Loveland

Water Bowser on Carn Marth

A number of horses, and a small number of cattle, are kept on grazing on the slopes of Carn Marth. There is no piped water supply up here, however, as there are now no dwellings this high up, so livestock owners tend to bring water up in multiple containers in the back of 4x4s and fill up the bowsers which then feed troughs.

Graham Loveland

Footpath on Carn Marth

On the ground there are many more footpaths criss-crossing Carn Marth than appear on the 1:25,000 OS. This makes the area quite popular with mountain bikers, as well as locals wanting exercise for themselves and their dogs.

Graham Loveland