Redruth

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Redruth dates back as far as the twelfth century, when it was developed around a ford. The town was once the capital of Britain's largest and richest tin mining area. The town's tin mining industry was in fact so productive that its stream became discoloured from the amount of iron oxide being produced by the mining, and hence Redruth got its name - rhyd meaning ford, and ruth meaning red. Redruth is overlooked by Carn Brea and Carn Marth, two huge granite hills. On top of Carn Brea is a medieval castle, and a nineteenth century monument dedicated to Lord Francis Basset. Lord Basset was one of the major mine owners in the Camborne-Redruth district at the time. The castle was built by the Basset family in the fourteenth century. Redruth was once home to William Murdoch, inventor of the gas light. Murdoch's house still stands in the centre of Redruth today. Each June, local schools celebrate Murdoch Day in honour of the great inventor, by parading and dancing through the town's streets. Redruth has a town trail which includes many sites of historical interest, including the Mining Exchange (now the Cornish Studies Library), the railway viaduct and the town clock. Gwennap Pit, where John Wesley used to preach, is nearby, as is Carn Brea Leisure Centre and Tehidy Country Park.