Mineshafts and workings

The old Devon mineshafts scattered across the landscape near Newton Abbot are a proper reminder of just how industrious this corner of the county once was. Walk the moorland and you'll spot the collapsed shafts, engine houses, and the eerie remnants of what was once a thriving mining operation. It's not a manicured heritage site with handrails and plaques - these are genuine industrial scars, some still hazardous, which makes them feel more authentic than polished attractions often do.

You're looking at tin and copper mining heritage primarily, with workings that date back centuries. The landscape tells the story better than any museum could: spoil heaps, shallow depressions where surface workings stripped away the earth, and the occasional rusted metal protruding from overgrown brambles. Some shafts you can safely peer into; others are properly fenced off. A good walking route will take 90 minutes to two hours, depending on how thorough you want to be.

Historically minded visitors will find this genuinely absorbing, particularly if you've read up beforehand. Families with younger kids might find it bit underwhelming after the initial excitement of spotting an old mine entrance wears off. Serious industrial archaeologists and walkers will get far more from it.

If you're staying at Oakmoor Touring Park - that adult-only spot just over two miles away - this makes a logical half-day excursion. Check conditions before you go; winter rain turns these paths into proper mud traps. Admission's typically free since these are unmanaged heritage sites, but access can be restricted if restoration work's underway.