Ramsay Mine (dis)

The ruins of Ramsay Mine sit quietly on Devon moorland, a reminder of when this corner of the county was briefly caught up in the tin-mining boom. What you find there now is less dramatic than the name suggests - mostly overgrown workings, stone foundations, and the kind of industrial archaeology that rewards a bit of imagination. You're essentially poking around 19th-century excavations and the remnants of processing equipment, with moorland views compensating for the lack of intact structures.

History enthusiasts will get more from it than families with restless kids. There's no visitor centre, no signage to speak of, and the site demands some effort to properly explore. Allow 45 minutes to an hour if you're thorough, less if you're just passing through. The walk itself is the main draw - you're out on proper Devon moorland, which frankly looks better than the site does.

If you're based near Exeter and staying at Woodland Springs Touring Park or Barley Meadow Touring Park, this works as a half-morning detour rather than a destination in itself. Don't go expecting preserved machinery or interpretation boards. Go because you like walking through rough countryside and finding evidence of how people made a living here 150 years ago. The industrial heritage angle is real, but so is the fact that time and weather have done their work. It's free and accessible, which counts for something.