top of page

The Great Flat Lode

Hidden Gem

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Moorland, Farmland

Walking, Photography

Year round

J3Mrs / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Great Flat Lode is a circular heritage trail of about seven and a half miles running around the hill of Carn Brea, between Camborne and Redruth in Cornwall, at the heart of the old tin-mining country. It follows the line of an unusually flat, tin-rich vein of ore, and passes a great scatter of r...

10

Parking nearby

1

Food Spots nearby

3

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

4 day, 6 overnight

Carn Brea Castle Restaurant​

Polgine Lane House, Woodcocks Roost Retreat, Tehidy Cabins

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is The Great Flat Lode?
Cornwall contains this mining landmark under the slopes of Carn Brea. Walkers discover the historic path easily while exploring west Cornwall.

What type of place is The Great Flat Lode?
The Great Flat Lode is a mineral-bearing body of rock in west Cornwall.

When is the best time to visit The Great Flat Lode?
Year round conditions suit a trip since the gravel tracks remain solid in any season. Clear days provide the finest views across the old mine workings toward the coast.

What can you do at The Great Flat Lode?
Walking along the circular trail allows you to see the historic stone engine houses and old chimneys. Hiking up Carn Brea opens up a wide panorama stretching toward the Atlantic Ocean.

How long should I spend at The Great Flat Lode?
Allocating roughly three hours lets you complete the full circular trail comfortably. A shorter visit works well if you only want to see the main historic buildings near the car parks.

Where do I park at The Great Flat Lode?
Ten available spaces sit nearby, providing four day and six overnight spots. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near The Great Flat Lode?
Carn Brea Castle Restaurant provides one spot to grab a meal in the area. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I stay near The Great Flat Lode?
Polgine Lane House, Woodcocks Roost Retreat, and Tehidy Cabins offer three places to stay nearby. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Free UK Travel Guides

Planning a UK adventure? Download our free itinerary guides and hidden gem collections, completely free.

Last Updated:

02 July 2026

Logo RGB_White_Stacked.png

Download the app

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get all the latest updates regarding hidden gems and staycations plus much more!

Thanks for subscribing!

Cookie Policy

Connect with us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • TikTok
bottom of page
UK Hidden Gems
UK Hidden GemsUncover the UK's best secrets on our app