Gunpowder Magazine On The Northern Slopes Of Carn Brea

CARN BREA

1535/0/10053 Gunpowder Magazine on the northern slo 27-MAR-08 pes of Carn Brea

II Gunpowder magazine. early C19

MATERIALS: granite random rubble.

DESCRIPTION: This partially ivy clad unroofed building comprises a circular gunpowder magazine with an internal diameter of 4m. The 0.55m wide wall which stands up to 1.9m high is constructed of mortared, uncoursed granite rubble, externally rendered with cement. The 0.95m wide entrance faces north.

HISTORY: Nothing specific is known of the history of this building beyond its first appearance on the 1880 Ordnance Survey map, where it is mistakenly described as a chimney. However, its proximity to the productive C19 Carn Brea Mine suggests that it was built to store explosives used in that mine.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: Despite loss of its roof, this gunpowder magazine at Carn Brea survives relatively well. It is unusual for its circular plan which is characteristic of this part of Cornwall rather than taking the more usual rectangular form. Most signifcantly, it sits within an internationally important historic industrial landscape recognised through its designation as a World Heritage Site and is part of the mining complex within that landscape.

NGR:- SW6795040909