Tower ruins

The tower stands as a gaunt reminder of Cornwall's industrial past, its stone walls weathered to a soft grey by centuries of Atlantic wind. You'll find it near Trevalgan, a proper ruin rather than a restored showpiece - no gift shop, no interpretive boards, just the raw skeleton of what was once a tin or copper mine engine house.

Climbing to the ruins takes a decent walk across moorland, and the scattered stonework rewards those who make the effort. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which feels increasingly rare. History buffs will spend a good twenty minutes examining the structure and imagining the industrial clatter that once filled this spot. Kids under ten might find it underwhelming - it's not a castle with turrets, just sturdy old walls - but teenagers who like abandoned places will get a genuine sense of exploration.

Free to visit, naturally, since there's nobody charging here. Allow forty-five minutes for a gentle mooch around, longer if you're the type to photograph every lichen-covered stone. Come on a clear day; the moorland mist can roll in fast and strip away the views entirely.

If you're basing yourself at Polmanter Touring Park - which sits just 1.6 miles away and has proper facilities - this makes an excellent morning walk. St. Ives Holiday Village is also within striking distance if you fancy combining coastal town time with a bit of industrial archaeology. The ruins work best as part of a wider exploration of the Cornish mining heritage rather than a standalone destination.