Spotlight on West Devon’s mining heritage: The story of Wheal Betsy

West Devon Borough Council is shining a light on one of the area’s most iconic historic sites this month - Wheal Betsy, the former mine that stands proudly alongside the A386 at Mary Tavy.

Dating back to the early 1700s, Wheal Betsy has a long and eventful history as a producer of lead, copper, silver, arsenic, and zinc. The mine faced continual challenges with flooding and water management, which caused repeated closures before it finally ceased operation in 1877. Today, it remains the last standing engine house on Dartmoor, instantly recognisable by its leaning chimney, a lasting symbol of the region’s mining heritage.

Originally named Heul Betsy when it reopened in 1806, the mine underwent several name changes, first becoming the Prince Arthur Consuls, then the North Wheal Friendship, before reverting once again to Wheal Betsy. The engine house, constructed in 1868 from locally quarried granite, was built to accommodate a Cornish beam pumping engine. Most of the structure was made from timber, with doors, lintels, and supports of wood, while large windows provided light inside. Remarkably, its plastered interior walls have helped preserve it through the centuries.

Mining at the site first began in the first half of the 18th century and continued intermittently over the decades. By the late 1820s, falling lead prices led to losses, and flooding became a persistent problem. In 1835, engineers constructed a horizontal drainage passage from the nearby Wheal Friendship mine to help remove water, though the two operations separated just two years later.

Despite frequent setbacks, Wheal Betsy did experience periods of prosperity. Between 1845 and 1875, the mine produced 540 tons of lead and more than 2,000 ounces of silver, generating substantial profits for its owners.

In 1863, new investors took over and poured money into improved equipment, but the venture soon faltered. By 1868, with 128 men still working at the site, an engine house steam pump was installed in a final bid to sustain production. However, the new Cornish Beam Engine failed to overcome the water problems, and the mine closed permanently in 1877 after proving uneconomical.

Nearly 80 years later, in 1954, the Army planned to demolish the remaining structure as the area was, and still is, used for military training. The site was saved thanks to Alfred Kenneth Hamilton Jenkin, a Cornish mining historian, and fellow campaigners who successfully intervened to preserve it.

Ownership transferred to the National Trust in 1967, which carried out vital restoration work, including stabilising the leaning chimney and reinforcing the structure. Today, the building stands as a Scheduled Monument, a status granted in February 1971, and serves as a proud memorial to Dartmoor’s once-thriving mining industry.

Visitors can explore Wheal Betsy free of charge, along with nearby walking trails that offer striking views of Dartmoor’s industrial landscape. A distinctive ‘stone pavement’ remains on-site, believed to have been built to help mining traffic access the area without damaging the terrain.

The Council is now encouraging residents and visitors to share their memories, photographs, and stories of Wheal Betsy to help celebrate its enduring legacy.

Whether a fascinating story about its history, or a stunning photograph, they want to hear from you. Your contributions will help them celebrate the heritage of this iconic landmark ensuring the history continues to inspire and connect West Devon communities.

You can share your memories via the Borough Council’s social media channels using the hashtag #WestDevonHeritage, or email them to communications@swdevon.gov.uk.
Alternatively, written submissions can be sent to:

Communications Team
West Devon Borough Council
Kilworthy Park, Drake Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0BZ

For more information about visiting Wheal Betsy, visit the National Trust website.