Eylesbarrow Tin Mine

The ruins of Eylesbarrow sit on Dartmoor like a monument to an industry that shaped Devon for centuries. What you're looking at are the remains of a tin mine that operated from the 1850s through to the early 1900s - weathered stone buildings, old machinery, and deep shafts that disappear into the moorland. It's genuinely atmospheric, especially on grey days when the mist rolls in.

You won't find visitor facilities or interpretation boards here. That's rather the point. Walking around the site is like stumbling across something untouched, though you'll want to be careful near the shafts - proper holes, those. Allow thirty to forty minutes unless you're into industrial archaeology, in which case you could easily spend longer picking out details and imagining the miners' daily grind.

History enthusiasts will find it rewarding. Families with young children might struggle - it's not particularly dramatic and there's little to actually do, just look and think. The walk itself matters more than the destination. It's best approached from the north near Two Bridges, a small settlement that's barely more than a name on the map, roughly four miles south-west of Plymouth.

If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes or Langstone Manor Holiday Park - both excellent bases - this makes a solid half-day moorland wander. Pair it with exploring Dartmoor National Park properly and you've got something worthwhile. Free to visit, and honest about what it is: a slice of industrial heritage left to decay naturally on the moor.