Discover Carnglaze Caverns: An Underground Adventure in Cornwall
Looking for something a little different to do during your stay at Helsbury Park? Tucked away in the beautiful Loveny Valley, on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, Carnglaze Caverns offers one of Cornwall’s most unusual days out. It’s a place where fascinating mining history, atmospheric underground chambers and peaceful woodland come together. And, as an added bonus, it’s an excellent option when the Cornish weather isn’t quite playing ball!
Step into Cornwall’s Underground World
Carnglaze began life as an open-cast slate quarry, before miners started digging underground more than 300 years ago. Working largely by hand, they carved out three enormous caverns in the hillside, extracting the distinctive dark blue slate that helped roof buildings across the region.
Today, visitors can explore these impressive spaces at their own pace. You’ll be provided with a safety helmet and a route plan, while information boards explain the history of the mine and the lives of the people who worked here.
The caverns have a wonderfully atmospheric feel, with dramatic slate walls, unusual rock formations and a fascinating collection of minerals from across the South West.
An Underground Lake to Remember
The highlight for many visitors is the third cavern, where the abandoned workings have flooded to create a beautiful underground lake. Its clear blue-green water, surrounded by towering slate walls, makes for a remarkable sight. It’s an unexpected landscape to find beneath the Cornish countryside, and a reminder of how nature can transform the places left behind by industry. And if you are an indie kid like us it is also the place that Echo and the Bunnymen were photographed in for their iconic Ocean Rain album cover. Allow around an hour to explore the caverns, although you may want to linger longer to take in the surroundings and discover more about their history, and you can even have a drink in their famous Rum Store where they put on all sorts of events.
Explore the Woodland Above
There’s more to Carnglaze than what’s beneath the ground. The attraction sits within eight acres of ancient oak woodland, with terraced gardens and a woodland walk offering a lovely contrast to the cool, dark caverns. Take a leisurely stroll among the trees, listen to the sounds of the river and enjoy a little time outdoors. The woodland walk takes around 20 minutes, and there are places to sit and relax along the way. There’s also a café on site for refreshments, making it easy to turn your visit into a relaxed half-day outing.
Planning Your Visit
A few practical tips will help you make the most of your trip:
Book ahead: Online booking is recommended, particularly during school holidays and busy periods.
Dress warmly: The caverns remain at around 10°C all year, so bring a jumper or jacket.
Wear sensible shoes: The underground route includes steps and uneven surfaces.
Allow time for both: Set aside roughly an hour or more to explore the caverns and woodland at a relaxed pace.
Check accessibility: The historic lower caverns and the steps down to the underground lake can be challenging for visitors with limited mobility. Some areas have better access than others.
Bringing your dog? Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor areas, but they cannot enter the caverns, apart from registered trained assistance dogs.
Check the official Carnglaze Caverns website for current opening times, ticket prices and availability before setting off.
A Different Side of Cornwall
A stay at Helsbury Park is an opportunity to discover more than just Cornwall’s beaches and coastal villages. Carnglaze Caverns offers a fascinating glimpse into the county’s industrial past, combined with a striking natural feature and a peaceful woodland setting. Whether you’re interested in history, geology or simply looking for an unusual family day out, it’s well worth adding to your holiday itinerary. Sometimes, one of Cornwall’s most memorable landscapes isn’t found on the coast at all – it’s hidden beneath your feet.
And if you want to make a day of it head on to Golitha Falls where your dogs can enjoy a riverside walk and you can check out Inkies Smokehouse cafe in the car park – it is a fantastic spot for lunch.
Check our latest availability for your next stay here at Helsbury.