Trevaunance Cove facts for kids
Trevaunance Cove is a small bay located on the northern coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. It's also a residential area that is part of the village of St Agnes. Even though storms often damaged its quay, Trevaunance Cove was a very busy harbour during the 1700s and 1800s. The famous South West Coast Path runs along the coast just north of the cove.
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Exploring Trevaunance Cove's Location
Trevaunance Cove is found on the north coast of Cornwall. A headland on its western side helps protect it. However, the cove is still open to the sea and winds coming from the north and northeast. You can easily reach the cove from St Agnes by road or by walking along footpaths through Trevaunance Coombe.
Nearby Natural Wonders and Historic Sites
Just 500 meters to the east of Trevaunance Cove, you'll find Trevellas Porth. This area is home to the Blue Hill mines. These mines are part of the St Agnes Mining District. This district is also part of the larger Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's a very important place recognized globally for its history and culture.
Why Trevaunance Cove's Rocks are Special
The geology of Trevaunance Cove is nationally important. It's a classic example of how granite minerals form. You can even see two mineral veins that contain ore right in the cliff face! Because of its unique rocks, the cove is listed in the Geological Conservation Review. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its special natural features. The cove is also part of the St Agnes heritage coast and the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A Look Back at Trevaunance Cove's Past
Long ago, Trevaunance Cove had a small market. People said this market had been held for a very long time. It sold all kinds of goods and food, except for corn. In 1706, a local landowner named Mr. Tonkin was given permission by Queen Anne to hold a weekly market and two fairs. This permission came through a special document called a Queen's patent. However, people from Truro complained, and the permission was taken away. Despite this, the market continued. It was still held every Thursday in 1838.
Building a Harbour: A Challenging Task
The Tonkin family tried to build a harbour in the cove several times. Their first attempts were in 1632 and again in 1684. In 1699, they tried a third time. They even got help from a famous engineer named Henry Winstanley. Sadly, he died in the Great Storm of 1703 while working on the Eddystone Lighthouse. His harbour at Trevaunance Cove was destroyed by a powerful storm in 1705.
Five years later, Mr. Tonkin tried again. He spent £6,000 to build new foundations. He used special Lyas stone brought all the way from Aberddaw in south Wales. This stone was laid with hot lime. But the harbour continued to suffer damage from storms and erosion. By 1794, a new "jetty pier" was built using local "moorstone." This project cost £10,000! A group of gentlemen who traded in coal, lime, and slate covered these large expenses.
