Morwellham Quay facts for kids
Morwellham Quay is a special historic river port in Devon, England. It grew to support local mines, especially during the Victorian era. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction and museum. It's also the end point of the Tavistock Canal and has its own copper mine.
This open-air museum lets you explore a restored 19th-century village. You can see the old docks and quays, and even a restored ship. A small train takes visitors into the George and Charlotte copper mine. There's also a Victorian farm and a nature reserve with walking trails.
In 2006, UNESCO, a part of the United Nations, made the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape a World Heritage Site. Morwellham is right in the middle of the Tamar Valley Mining District. It's an important gateway to this amazing World Heritage Site.
This historic site is also an "Anchor Point" of ERIH, which stands for The European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Contents
A Look Back: Morwellham's Story
Morwellham Quay was first set up by Benedictine monks from Tavistock Abbey. This abbey was founded way back in 961. The monks used the quay to move goods to and from Plymouth on the River Tamar. The nearby River Tavy was too difficult to travel on.
Early Mining and Trade
By the 1100s, tin ore was being shipped through the quay. In the 1200s, lead and silver ores were also transported. Later, people found copper deposits right at the Quay itself. The George and Charlotte Mine opened in the 1700s. Around 1800, manganese was also mined from Dartmoor. This manganese was brought to Morwellham for shipping.
The Tavistock Canal and Its Impact
By the late 1700s, carrying goods by pack horse over rough land was too hard. So, in 1817, the 4.5-mile-long Tavistock Canal was opened. This canal included a 1.5-mile tunnel. The tunnel ended 237 feet above the quay at Morwellham. From there, an inclined plane was built. This special slope used a water wheel to bring iron barges down to the quay.
The "Richest Copper Port" Era
Morwellham Quay was at its busiest when the Devon Great Consols mine was working. This mine was just four miles north of the port. It shipped huge amounts of copper and later arsenic through the quay for almost 60 years, starting in 1844. Morwellham became known as the "richest Copper port in Queen Victoria's Empire." Queen Victoria herself visited in 1856.
Another inclined plane was built to move the ore down the hill. A new quay was added to handle the 30,000 tons of ore exported each year. Arsenic was also mined here. Morwellham became the world's biggest supplier of arsenic later in the century. However, by 1903, the mines ran out of valuable minerals and closed.
Decline and Rebirth
By the time the mines closed, railways had become the main way to transport goods. This meant Morwellham's importance as a port ended. The canal tunnel was then used to supply water for a hydroelectric power plant. The inclined planes were no longer needed.
In 2009, Devon County Council stopped funding the mining museum. This caused the site to go into administration. But in April 2010, the owners of Bicton Park bought the site. It reopened to the public later that year.
Exploring Morwellham Quay Today
The site has been wonderfully preserved. It gives visitors a real feel for Victorian industrial and rural life. You can see the old offices where people tested ores. There are also carefully restored Victorian cottages, a farm, and schoolrooms.
Mining and Mills
You can watch the ore-crushing machines. These were powered by a huge 32-foot waterwheel. A special electric tramway, built for visitors in the 1970s, takes you on a tour inside the copper mine. It's a great way to see what mining was like.
Nature and Old Structures
There are also many trails to explore the valley by water and land. You can learn about the local environment. Old lime kilns can also be seen. These were used to make lime, an important material for building and farming.
Edwardian Farm TV Series
The BBC television series Edwardian Farm was filmed at Morwellham Quay. This happened during 2009 and 2010.
See also
- New Quay (Devon) – A similar port nearby, which is now abandoned.
- Calstock
- Harewood House, Calstock
