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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StARR Project presentation 19th January

Our next event is a presentation about the St Austell Bay Resilient Regeneration project on Wednesday 19th January. This will be via Zoom. For details of how to join the zoom meeting please contact Mandy on folvmembership@gmail.com See you there!

Black Hill car park closure

Black Hill carpark will now be closed from 17th January 2022 for improvement works.

Charlestown Leat Conundrum

For those of you that have read the latest blog on the mystery of water being diverted into the Charlestown leat, we are pleased to have confirmation from Cornwall Heritage Trust that Cornwall Council have now removed the stop board responsible for the diversion. Not a moment too soon looking at the weather outside!

A new New Year resolution perhaps?

We are looking for Friends who would be interested in becoming Trustee Committee members to help develop and protect our amazing Valley. Read our latest blog to find out more .......

Black Hill Car Park Closure

The valley's Black Hill car park will be closed from the 10th January 2022 for 8 weeks whilst resurfacing work is undertaken. Still want to explore the upper Valley? Why not go green and walk from the village or Luxulyan train station?

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

20 Feb

Winter Walk Amongst the Trees

Sun 20th Feb 2022, 10:00am to 12:00pm

A walk starting in Luxulyan, looking at the trees in their winter plumage.

Meet at 10am: Luxulyan Village School, PL30 5EE

2 Mar

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wed 2nd Mar 2022, 7:30pm to 9:00pm

Annual General Meeting, followed by a presentation on the Political Shenanigans of JT Treffry.

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.