A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
December 31, 2024
Wheal Cumpston
In Combestone Wood downhill from (and to north east of) Combestone Farm are the substantial remains of an early 19th century tin mine, named Wheal Cumpston. The mine is situated within an area of an old Medieval tin workings and the remains from the 1830s, comprise a well preserved complex which includes a Mine Captain’s house, a small subsidiary building, a wheelpit, two dressing floors (buddles) and an adit. The mine was part of the Dartmoor United Tin Mining Company, which also worked Gobbett and Deby Hole Mines, which are located to the west of Hexworthy. The mine had been abandoned by 1840.
Tom Greeves has found evidence to suggest the workings (openworks) are likely to have been worked in the late 15th and early 17th centuries with the tinworks being referred to as Steepehill tinwork ‘att Combestone’ which was registered at the Plympton Stannary court in 1625.
The 19th century mine was run by a Robert Penhey (1807-1895) who, rather surprisingly, was a grocer from Stonehouse in Plymouth. He appears to have been a very colourful character who had floated shares with repeated calls for more capital. The entrepreneurial shareholders who had provided capital took him to court regarding monies owed. However, using the tactic of a fictitious firm of solicitors, he counter claimed that they shareholders owed him £540. He further claimed that £62 7s 2d worth of tin had been sold.
This post has been written following a visit to the Mine, which was made possible as part of the Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group (DTRG) as it lies on private land
Bibliography
Tom Greeves and Elisabeth Stanbrook (Apr 2013) – Combestone Farm, Holne, Devon. A History, 25, 34-37 (Report – non-specific). SDV356154.
Sketch map remains of Wheal Cumpston. The mine was first surveyed by Dr Tom Greeves over 40 years ago and the above sketch is based on the original surveyBehind this drystone wall into the fields and woods (Combestone Wood) beyond lie the remains of the medieval tinworks and the 19th century Wheal Cumpston. Vag Hill stands beyond across the Double Dart valleyNear the path below Combestone Farm and just outside the walling, below which is Wheal Cumpston and possible spring and small reservoir can be found. This might possibly have been the source of water for the waterwheel at the mine – although certainly not definitiveThe possible spring and small reservoir (which certainly looks man made) is located at SX67074 72352The watercourse from the potential spring / small reservoir crosses the footpath and through this gap in the wall (below which is Wheal Cumpston). The gap in the wall appears to have been created for the flow of water. Accessing Wheal Cumpston via a gate near the farm and descending diagonally across the open field towards the Combestone Wood, the first feature encountered is a large openwork.There are two large openworks here, both being irregular in shape and steep sided. Of the two open works; the southern one measures approximately 20m by 8m and the northern open work 10m by 4m (ref: Crabb). The photograph shows the openwork extending into Combestone Wood and the main 19th complex of Wheal Cumpston. There is access (with permission) into the wood via a gate a little way uphill from this pictureLooking back along the openwork towards the open field which is located below Combestone FarmCombestone Wood. Parts of Wheal Cumpston coming into view at the top left part of the pictureIn the early 17th century this tinwork was probably known as ‘Steepehill’. John Woollcombe of Sheepstor and John Mumford are recorded as owning it in 1625. Records from the late 15th century relate to tinners John and Richard Hanworthy here. The former was a jurate at Crockerntor Great Court in 1494 and in 1487 John Berde of Combestone was a tinner. In the 1340s William Comeraston is recorded as a tinner and in 1336/7 William senior and William junior of Comerston were both tinners (ref: Greeves)The Mine Captains house is the first obvious artefact from Wheal Cumpston as one descends the hillThe ruins of the Mine Captains house are substantially built and are located at SX67156 72354. This building is shown on modern OS maps as a simple black ‘rectangle’ orientated approx NNW-SSE as per the sketch plan shown in this post.Mine Captain’s house was built in the early 1830s but had been abandoned by 1840 – it seems a lot of effort for such a short period of occupationR.G. Haynes (dartmoor researcher / observer from 1960s/ 70s) suggested that the Mine Captain’s House had a chimney at the south and probably one at the north and two windows with a door on the east. The view shown in the photograph is from the east side with the probable windows and door evidentThe Mine Captain’s House is perched on the very edge of old openworksTo the west of the Mine Captains house is some walling, first noted by Dr Tom Greeves over 40 years ago. With all the lichen and moss, this feature could easily be missedAnother section of walling – probably pre-dates the other buildings / infrastructure from 1830sA small subsidiary building (use unknown) lies between the Mine Captain’s House and the Dressing Floor.The small building lies between an openwork and a track which leads to the Dressing FloorAnother view of the small building. It is located at SX67183 72344The wheelpit at Wheal Cumpston. The stamps were probably located on the south east side (right as seen in the picture) of the wheel as this is the side where the buddles are locatedThe wheelpit size suggested a very narrow wheelThe wheelpit looking north west. The location is SX67205 72347Leading down from near the Mine Captain’s house to the Dressing Floor is a wide track, which most likely was where ore was transported to the Dressing FloorLooking down the track towards the Dressing Floor. Members of the DTRG can be seen having lunch at the Dressing FloorTop of the track by the Mine Captain’s House and the open worksWheelpit and Buddle. The stamps were probably located between the two locationsWater still emanating from the tailrace of the wheelpitA few metres downhill from the wheelpit an outflow portal can be locatedLow lintel of the wheelpit outflow portalTwo Buddle(s) at the lower dressing floor adjacent to the wheelpit tailrace. They are stone-lined settling pits which (perhaps) were used to process the ‘tailings’.Beside the upper dressing floor are these (unusual) curved steps which lead to the track. The steps are located at SX67202 72339Substantial Buddle with the ‘curved steps’ beyondA smaller Buddle (of two) at the Upper Dressing FloorSide view of one of the irregular shaped Buddles on the Lower Dressing FloorSide view of the lowest of the irregular shaped Buddles on the Lower Dressing Floor. This one is pentagonalAbout 100m downhill from the Dressing Floor, the entrance to an adit, with its adjoining spoilheap, can be foundThe adit still has water emanating from it. It is located at SX67250 72395The entrance to the adit. It has been recorded as having maximum width of 2m and a length of around 18m. (ref: Crabb)
