Trink Hill facts for kids
Trink Hill is a hill in Cornwall, UK, that stands 212 metres (about 695 feet) tall. It is located between the small villages of Trink and Cripplesease, close to Nancledra. Another well-known hill, Trencrom Hill, is just one kilometre (about half a mile) to the southeast.
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History of Trink Hill
Trink Hill has a long history, with signs of ancient human activity and mining.
Ancient Discoveries on Trink Hill
At the very top of Trink Hill, there is an ancient burial mound called a Round Barrow. This type of mound was used to bury people a very long time ago, often in the Bronze Age. A modern survey marker, known as an OS Trig point, is located inside this old mound.
On the western side of the hill, you can find a standing stone called the Giew Mine Stone or Trink Hill Menhir. A menhir is a large, upright stone that was placed by people in ancient times, often for unknown reasons, but they are usually linked to rituals or marking important places.
The Mystery of Twelve O'Clock Rock
One of the most interesting features on Trink Hill is a large granite rock formation known as Twelve O'Clock Rock. People believe it is a special type of logan stone. A logan stone is a huge rock that is balanced so perfectly that it can be rocked back and forth with very little effort. The legend says that Twelve O'Clock Rock can only be moved at midnight, which makes it quite mysterious!
Mining History: Wheal Sister Mine
Trink Hill was also important for mining. In October 1875, four tin mines in the area joined together to form one big mine called Wheal Sister. This mine covered both Trink Hill and Trencrom Hill. Before they became Wheal Sister, these mines were known by different names: Wheals Kitty, Margaret, Mary, and Trencrom. They were all focused on digging for tin, which was a very important metal in Cornwall's history.
Plants and Flowers on Trink Hill
Trink Hill is home to beautiful plants, including a special type of heather.
Bell Heather: A Special Discovery
The hill is covered with a plant called bell heather (Erica cinerea). In 1926, a woman named Miss Gertrude Waterer found a unique version of this heather on Trink Hill. This special type of bell heather grew low to the ground and had lovely lavender-coloured flowers.
Awards for the Trink Hill Heather
This unique lavender bell heather became very popular. A plant nursery called Knap Hill Nursery started selling it in 1933. In the same year, it received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, which is a big honour for a plant. Later, in 1984, it received another important award called the Garden Merit, showing how special and valued this plant from Trink Hill is.
