Gwennap

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Gwennap is a parish in the heart of what was once one of the greatest metal mining areas of the world and now part of the World Heritage Site which recognises Cornwall's Mining Heritage.

Gwennap in History

Many of the best lodes in Cornwall were worked around Carn Marth. Famous mines such as Tresavean, Treskerby, Wheal Jewell, Wheal Damsel, United Mines Group, Consolidated Mines, Poldice, Wheal Unity and Wheal Gorland all stood within the old parish boundaries of Gwennap.

Gwennap Parish Church

Dedicated to St Wennapa. Much of the church was rebuilt in 1862. It does retain some early features from the 13th and 14th centuries. The south porch is late Norman. Monument carved by Nevill Northey Burnard.

Parish Records for Baptisms, Marriages and Burials are held at the Cornwall Records Office. Some records are available online through the OPC database. Some transcripts of records have been published by the Cornwall Family History Society and are available to buy online.

See our Family History section for links to all the online genealogy resources for Gwennap.

Famous People in Gwennap

The Rev John Wesley, founder of Methodism, visited Cornwall for several years from 1743 onwards. He started to preach at Gwennap Pit in 1752 and returned regularly until 1789 by which times he was aged 86. The Pit has been used every year since 1807 for a Whit Monday service. See our Gwennap Pit page for more information

General Information

Tourist Information Centre
The nearest office is at Cornwall Centre, Alma Place, Redruth, Cornwall.

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Gwennap

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