Joseph Treffry completed the viaduct in 1842 as a convenient route between the coast and high ground where he owned land and mineral setts.

The Luxulyan Valley is classified as a County Wildlife Site

The valley is also known for its picturesque qualities and ecological interests which have been long recognised.

The Wheelpit originally had a 30-foot diameter water wheel supplying power to a cable mechanism for hauling wagons up the Carmears Inclined Plane.

Much of the valley is covered in dense woodland, with rich ecological diversity and tranquil beauty.

Welcome to The Friends of Luxulyan Valley

Luxulyan Valley is a beautiful wooded valley in mid Cornwall through which runs the river Par. It was designated as part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site in 2006 for the fascinating early 19th century industrial remains that can be found throughout the area.

The Friends of Luxulyan Valley are a group concerned with the conservation of the Valley. We were established in 1997 and have links with Cornwall Council and the Footpath Committees of Luxulyan and Lanlivery parishes. We are also members of The Conservation Volunteers. Our objectives are to promote, preserve and protect the valley.

You can help us by joining the Friends to keep this treasure for future generations; individual membership costs just £8 per year, joint membership £10 and family membership £12. Members get a quarterly newsletter and free entry to most of our events.

What's new

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The Great Big Green Week - a gilded walk through Luxulyan Valley

Join Roger Smith for another guided walk of the Valley's rich multi-layered history including how our citizen scientists are monitoring the health of the river Par.

Friends walk to Carbeans & Colcerrow Quarries and Big Rock this Saturday

Saturday 21st August

Carbeans & Colcerrow Quarries and Big Rock

Fancy exploring the quarries beyond Luxulyan Valley? Join the Friends this Saturday for a walk along the old tramway to disused quarries and the Big Rock.

It will be very rough underfoot and sorry, but no dogs as we are crossing private farmland.

Meet: Blackhill Car Park at 10.30 am

Luxulyan Valley history guided walk

Unearth some of the Valley's fascinating history during a guided walk of the Valley with Roger Smith. See our events page for details.

Beaver Project Visit

There are still places left for our visit to the Beaver project near Truro on June 12th and we have opened it up for non-members too! Check out the details on our Events page and find out how to book your place!

Volunteer Work Party

On Friday 7th May look out for our Ranger Jenny and her crew of volunteers in the Valley, where they will be doing gate and fence maintenance to the meadow and getting some of those Rhododendrons under control!

Visit the Valley

‘The valley is one of the most charming sylvian scenes in the West of England, diversified with granite bolders, and spanned by the graceful Treffry viaduct that is also an aqueduct, though the train did not allow time enough for admiration of the natural beauties’ (Mr Trevail, The Royal Cornwall Gazette, 1900).

Read about the Valley

History of the Valley

As we walk through the tranquil valley with its natural-looking slopes, mature trees and trilling streams, it is difficult to keep in mind that its character, seemingly so unspoilt, results from its history as an industrial site. Although it was too deep to clear for farmland, too rocky to stream for tin, too steep to build housing estates, it has never been an unchanging idyll.

Read about history

Support the Friends

The Friends of Luxulyan Valley wouldn't exist without your kind support and donations. You can join The Friends today and help us to preserve this unique environment for future generations.

Support the Friends

Upcoming events

23 Oct

Fungi Walk

Sat 23rd Oct 2021, 10:30am to 12:30pm

Discover the world of fungi with our guide Pauline Penna.

Meet at 10.30: Gunwen Chapel, Breney Common, PL30 5DU

Subject to Covid restrictions

17 Nov

Redruth & Chacewater Railway

Wed 17th Nov 2021, 7:30pm to 9:00pm

A presentation by Eric Rabjohns about this early 14km mineral railway line that closed in 1915.

Meet at 7.30pm: Luxulyan Village Hall, PL30 5QA

View all events

Interactive map

Learn more about the Valley and plan your trip with our interactive map.