Caradon Hill facts for kids
Caradon Hill is a special hill located on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England. Its name in the Cornish language is Bre Garn. This hill stands tall at about 371 meters (1,217 feet) above the sea.
You can find Caradon Hill on the southeastern side of Bodmin Moor. It sits between a few small villages. These include Minions to the northwest, Upton Cross to the northeast, Pensilva to the southeast, and Darite to the southwest.
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A Hill of Mines
Caradon Hill was once very famous for its mines. People dug deep into the ground here to find valuable metals. The most important metal found was copper.
Copper Mining History
The biggest copper mine in the whole United Kingdom was here. It was called the South Caradon Copper Mine. This mine was very busy in the second half of the 1800s. It was located about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) southwest of the hill's top.
Other Mines and Minerals
Besides copper, people also mined for tin around Caradon Hill. Many old mines are now closed and scattered around the base of the hill. One of these is called Wheal Phoenix. This mine is well-known among people who collect minerals. They look for interesting rocks and crystals there.
You can still see the ruins of the Prince of Wales engine house at Wheal Phoenix. This was a building that held a large steam engine. The engine helped pump water out of the mine.
Quarrying for Granite
Not just metals, but also granite rock was taken from the area. Granite is a very hard stone used for building. The places where they dug for granite are called quarries.
The mining areas around the southwest side of Caradon Hill are special. They are part of a protected natural area. This area is important for its wildlife and geology.
The TV Mast
Near the very top of Caradon Hill, there is a tall television mast. This mast is part of the Caradon Hill transmitting station. It sends out TV and radio signals to homes in the area.
