Discovering Cornwall

Kennall Vale Nature Reserve was once a thriving industrial landscape.  From 1812 to 1910 it was the site of the Kennall Vale Gunpowder Company. The gunpowder works used the River Kennall that formed the valley and still flows today as the power source for it's many water wheels.  The gunpowder made here was used in the Gwennap area mines as well as being exported oversees. The area was also used for granite quarrying as evidenced by the now flooded quarry just off the main path as you enter the circular walk around the site. In total, there were around 56 buildings within this small wooded valley.  Most are now in such a poor state that they are difficult to identify if they leave any evidence of their existence at all. The works suffered a number of accidents over the years it operated and was responsible for many deaths, including the decapitation of one poor worker whose head was reported to be found half a mile away!  The West Briton Newspaper at the time reporte...