Consols Mine Clock Tower

Standing tall against the Cornish sky, this Victorian clock tower marks what was once the heart of Cornwall's tin mining industry. The red brick structure is all that remains of Consols Mine, one of the region's most productive copper and tin workings that operated from the 1860s through to the early 20th century. You can walk right up to it - there's no fence or entry fee blocking your way.

Industrial heritage enthusiasts will find plenty to photograph here, though casual visitors might feel they've seen enough after fifteen minutes. The tower itself tells a story of Cornwall's mining boom, when these timepieces regulated the working day for hundreds of miners below ground.

From nearby Truro, it's a straightforward drive into the countryside where this lonely sentinel stands. Families staying at Trevarth Holiday Park or Carnon Downs will find it makes a decent pitstop on drives around the area, though don't expect interpretation boards or facilities. The surrounding landscape gives a proper sense of how remote these mining operations were.

Best combined with other Cornish mining heritage sites rather than treated as a destination in itself. The tower photographs well in late afternoon light, and there's usually space to park nearby without drama.