It’s not every town that can justifiably claim to have changed the world. But Camborne has – and more than once, too.
Richard Trevithick built his ‘Puffing Devil’ – the steam carriage that gave rise to trains and cars right here… and tested it for the first time on Camborne Hill (or, as we call it, Fore Street).
And when you hear how Cornish miners took their skills and machinery right around the globe, don’t forget that expertise was probably learned at Camborne School of Mines – and the gear was likely Holman Brothers’ finest.
Here in Camborne, we’ve always been good at making things. And one of them is history.
Camborne is a town filled with passionate people who are staunchly loyal to the area. We pull together as a community, and we love where we live. One of the best ways for us to come together as one is in our celebration of Trevithick Day.
The first Camborne Trevithick Day took place in 1984 and the community event has quickly become an important part of the Cornish calendar, attracting some 25,000 to 30,000 visitors. It is a day of free entertainment to celebrate Camborne’s links with Richard Trevithick and local industrial heritage.
There’s a carnival atmosphere in Camborne as its main streets are closed to traffic for the day and steam engines, street stalls, bands and entertainers take over the town. Rosewarne car park is transformed into a funfair and many of Camborne’s buildings are home to displays or offer refreshments.
Here in Camborne, we’re blessed. Some of Cornwall’s finest scenery, heritage and nature can be found right on our doorstep.
Within just a few miles, we have the dizzying cliffs at Hell’s Mouth, and the bluebell-strewn woodlands at Tehidy and Pendarves.
And our area’s simply bursting with history – whether that’s mining sites at East Pool, King Edwards Mine and the Great Flat Lode or ancient, mysterious remains at the Giant’s Quoit and Carn Brea.
Don’t be fooled into thinking Camborne’s all about the past.
Yes, we’re proud of our heritage but we’re a lively community too, with plenty going on to entertain you.
For example, we’ve a regular food market selling the best local Cornish produce, a famous annual music festival and, on Chapel Street, you can find The Apollo: the first and last bingo hall in mainland Britain.
Our colleagues over at the Camborne Town website have the most up to date information about everything to do in our town.
