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  1. Industrial Archaeology
  2. Mines of Cornwall & Devon

Wheal Betsy

Wheal Betsy is located on the site of an ancient silver and tin mining workings. The mining re-opened in 1806 and worked for lead and copper although arsenic and silver were also found.

The building and chimney were erected to at the time of the re-opening in 1806. This structure was built to house a Cornish beam pumping engine which worked until the mine closed in 1877.

The shaft was 900 feet deep. The mine was first powered by peat dug from Walkham head. The Reddaford Leat was built around 1800 to bring water to the mines at Mary Tavy. It starts just below Tavy Cleave (on the Tavy at SX 550830) and follows the contours of Nat Tor, servicing Willsworthy and Wheal Jewell. It stretches for 4.5 miles and drops 26 feet. Today the leat stops at Wheal Jewell reservoir. The leat in times gone by serviced the mines of Wheal Betsy and Friendship before being returned to the Tavy south of Mary Tavy.
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  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    In December 2021 Wheal Betsy Engine House was wrapped up rather in the manner that happened at Castle Drogo during the Castle's recent renovation. The National Trust who own Wheal Betsy have not made any announcements as yet as to how long the maintenance work will continue for. These images were taken on May 01, 2022. Wheal Betsy forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. I understand unwrapping commenced on May 04, 2022.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    In December 2021 Wheal Betsy Engine House was wrapped up rather in the manner that happened at Castle Drogo during the Castle's recent renovation. The National Trust who own Wheal Betsy have not made any announcements as yet as to how long the maintenance work will continue for. These images were taken on May 01, 2022. Wheal Betsy forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. I understand unwrapping commenced on May 04, 2022.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    In December 2021 Wheal Betsy Engine House was wrapped up rather in the manner that happened at Castle Drogo during the Castle's recent renovation. The National Trust who own Wheal Betsy have not made any announcements as yet as to how long the maintenance work will continue for. These images were taken on May 01, 2022. Wheal Betsy forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. I understand unwrapping commenced on May 04, 2022.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    In December 2021 Wheal Betsy Engine House was wrapped up rather in the manner that happened at Castle Drogo during the Castle's recent renovation. The National Trust who own Wheal Betsy have not made any announcements as yet as to how long the maintenance work will continue for. These images were taken on May 01, 2022. Wheal Betsy forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. I understand unwrapping commenced on May 04, 2022.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    In December 2021 Wheal Betsy Engine House was wrapped up rather in the manner that happened at Castle Drogo during the Castle's recent renovation. The National Trust who own Wheal Betsy have not made any announcements as yet as to how long the maintenance work will continue for. These images were taken on May 01, 2022. Wheal Betsy forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. I understand unwrapping commenced on May 04, 2022.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - May 01, 2022

    Shaft located adjacent to the parking area off the Choldwich Farm and Stables access road.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Sheep and Shadows at Wheal Betsy

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    View south towards Tavistock across the mine dumps. See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

  • Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011

    Wheal Betsy Engine House - June 02, 2011. Yes the tower and walls do lean! See http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm for more information on this historic mine.

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    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011
    Wheal Betsy, Dartmoor, Devon - June 02, 2011