Viewing Mound

From this elevated spot near Redruth, the Cornish countryside rolls away in proper dramatic fashion. The Viewing Mound gives you a cracking panoramic sweep across mining country - all those distinctive engine house ruins dotting the landscape suddenly make sense from up here. It's basically a grassy hill with a clear purpose: letting you see how this corner of Cornwall fits together.

Walkers will get the most from it, especially those keen on industrial heritage. The view takes in the World Heritage mining landscape, and on clear days you can spot the coast. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of uphill walking will find it worthwhile, though toddlers might lose interest quickly.

Allow about an hour including the walk up and time to appreciate the vista. Early morning or late afternoon light shows off the old mine workings beautifully. There's no entrance fee or formal opening times - it's just open countryside.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Lanyon Holiday Park or Higher Trevaskis, it makes a decent morning excursion before heading to the coast. The mound works well as part of a mining heritage day out, giving context to all those ruined engine houses you'll spot driving around this part of Cornwall.