Welcome to King Edward Mine's Events page
Godrygeugh Whel Myghtern Edward dhe Dhyscudha Gonys Sten Kernowek
Scroll down page for the Group Booking Form
July 2026: Formal Opening of the Restored Headframe
On 11th July King Edward Mine commemorated the restoration of the restored wooden headframe. In glorious sunshine, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, unveiled a commemorative plaque.
Hundreds of volunteers and invited guests gathered to mark this important event for Cornish mining heritage, which now helps us to highlight the relationship between mining underground , hoisting and ore processing in our Tin Mill.
Our wonderful KEM volunteers have achieved something truly remarkable in erecting the first headframe for 50 years. We convey our immense gratitude to our sponsors and supporters for making this possible and for helping us to ensure a sustainable future for our much-loved museum as we celebrate our quarter century open to the public.
For more details of the event and background to the restoration of the headframe , please see the Press Release below.
June 2026: Cornwall Schools Mining Games
Another brilliant games was held on Thursday 18th June 2026. Schools from across Cornwall sent 17 teams with 125 children attending.
Throughout the day the teams competed in six practical mining disciplines; panning for gold nuggets, mucking (filling a wheelbarrow and moving it around a course), swede saw (cutting through a section of timber), hand steeling (using a hammer and hand steel to make a hole in a concrete block), mineral separations (using a sieve to separate the material into sections and magnetic separation to remove iron filings from sand) and surveying (using a compass and tape measure to record measurements on a pre-set triangle).
We couldn't run this event without our wonderful volunteers (there were 56 in total this year) and our generous sponsors. The event sponsors were Camborne School of Mines Trust, Cornish Metals plc, Mr Tim Henderson, Cornish Lithium, Central Asia Metals, Highway Plant and the Rotary Club of Cornwall. We also had music from the Carharrack & St Day Silver Band who gave the pupils the opportunity to try to play various instruments.
The overall winner of the 2026 Cornwall Schools Mining Games was Truro School and the runners up were St Joseph's School Launceston.
Booking Form for a Group Visit to King Edward Mine
If you are planning a group visit in 2026, please complete the form below (* indicates required information).
If you would like to book a school visit, please use the booking form on the education page
The reason for this question is to enable KEM to be able to help you to meet your ambitions. We will need our volunteers to staff both the Mill and the Museum.
Should you wish to organise food, please contact The Croust Hut 01209 612635
Group Booking Form
April 2026: King Edward Mine Education Update
We have;
- Hosted a total of 17 school visits (9 primary and 8 secondary) so far in 2026
- Represented the museum at the first Lego League competition at RNAS Culdrose
- Delivered a Women in STEM event involving three schools
- Represented King Edward Mine at the UK Critical Minerals event in London
- Been invited to TEC Girls 'Reach for the Stars' event in June 2026 to promote STEM engagement
See report and photos below.
February 2026: King Edward Mine Wooden Headframe
On 19th February 2026, the restored wooden headframe was finally erected into place with the help of a large crane and a team of volunteers. We are really grateful to Macsalvors Plant Hire Ltd and their expert lifting knowledge for supplying the crane free of charge.
Thank you to the Association of Industrial Archeology for the generous grant, to Jason Thomas for loaning the headframe to us, to all those who helped by supporting our GoFundme page, and to all the King Edward Mine Volunteers who spent thousands of hours patiently restoring this part of Cornish Mining Heritage.
February 2026: Women in STEM and Lego Challenge
In February 2026, Year 10 girls from three Cornish Secondary schools had inspiring days at King Edward Mining Museum, where they had the opportunity to meet and learn from women in engineering careers. The event aimed to encourage young women to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields by showcasing real-life role models and engaging hands-on activities. The day began with insightful talks from women working in various engineering industries. They shared their career journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the exciting opportunities available in STEM. The girls were able to ask questions and gain valuable advice about pursuing careers in engineering.
Our STEM representatives were from: Cornish Lithium, Cornish Metals, Jacobs, Cornwall College, Camborne School of Mines and Geothermal Engineering Ltd.
Following the talks, both the students and speakers enjoyed a guided tour of the museum. This provided a fascinating insight into the history of mining and engineering, highlighting how the industry has evolved over time.
To make the experience even more interactive, the girls had the chance to build LEGO robots and take part in engineering challenges. Working in teams, they designed, built, and programmed their robots to complete tasks, developing problem-solving and teamwork skills along the way. This launched the museum’s exciting new LEGO OFFER which we are rolling out to all secondary schools.
Mrs Rebecca Mitchell Education Officer rebecca.mitchell@kingedwardmine.co.uk
December 2025: Restoration of Historic Cornish Headframe
In 2023, an opportunity was presented to the Trustees of King Edward Mine (KEM) by the owner of one of the last remaining wooden headframes in Cornwall. The headframe was originally built at Geevor and erected at Cligga Head (near St Agnes) in 1962. From there it was moved to Nangiles (Wheal Jane area), then to Wheal Concord (Skinners Bottom) in 1980. This site later became the home of Cornish Firewood, which is owned by Jason Thomas, and it is the Thomas family who have offered a long-term loan to enable the headframe to be renovated and installed at KEM. It is one of the last remaining wooden headframes in Cornwall, and was at risk of collapse before King Edward Mine stepped in.
Thanks to all those who supported the initial seed funding through our Go Fund me page, we are in the process of restoring the headframe and have received a grant from the Association of Industrial Archeology for the headframe to be re-erected about Engine Shaft. We have Planning Permission and the Method Statement all ready.
We had very positive feedback from the planning office on the Method Statement, which was submitted in response to a Condition imposed on both our original PP submission and the Listed Building Consent Application.
"The World Heritage Site Office is of the opinion that the applicants are to be commended for both the level of detail as has been provided and the their efforts in securing the headframe from Wheal Concord as well as the attention to detail in conceiving a project which will secure this notable aspect of Cornwall's metalliferous mining heritage for the future and it is welcome to know that as much of the original fabric of the headframe will be retained for reuse as is possible and that much of it does indeed survive in relatively good condition. "
In 2025 work is continuing on restoring the historic wooden headframe which will be erected above the shaft. A great team of volunteers spent many Sunday mornings at King Edward Mine installing timbering to Engine Shaft. Concrete foundations have been installed at the shaft.
We have made great progress restoring the historic headframe. The completed headframe should be installed above Engine Shaft early in 2026. Together, these developments will help us demonstrate the relationship between mining underground, the winding mechanism and processing with the mill.
Are you looking for somewhere to hold an event?
King Edward Mine is keen to see the site being used by local community groups such as archery clubs, dog training groups, running clubs, conservation groups, craft teams, camera groups, cycle clubs, choirs, brass bands. Our site covers some 8.9 hectares, (22 acres). We have a large car park, toilets, a café on site, a large grass field, a lecture room with projector and internet, and can offer group trips around the museum. As the Great Flat Lode crosses through our land, KEM is an ideal hub for user groups. Please feel free to make contact on info@kingedwardmine.co.uk
What our Visitors Say About Us
"The children really loved the exhibition (and the winding engine), great for any Minecraft enthusiasts. Enough buttons to keep the new generation involved and sufficient big lumps of machinery, history and working demonstrations to keep all happy. P.S. Eucalyptus oil - who knew - a new favourite fact!"
"Even if mining isn't your thing (our party of 5 consisted of both keen geologists and the unkeen!) the volunteer guides at King Edward were both knowledgeable and entertaining. They really know their stuff and there's working machinery that really brings the history to life.
"Excellent, even the dog found it interesting when machinery was switched on my our wonderful guide. Very interesting information, my friend and I enjoyed very much.”
