Welcome to
DARTMOOR TINWORKING RESEARCH GROUP
DTRG is dedicated to studying Dartmoor’s unique tin mining heritage.
Tin has been a valuable commodity from the Bronze Age to modern day and historical records relating its working survive from the mid 12th century to the 1970s. In the Middle Ages the wealth it generated enabled churches and substantial farmhouses to be built. Indeed, the very character of Dartmoor has in part been shaped by the tin miner, for almost every hillside or valley shows some evidence of the tinners’ hand, whether a winding water channel, a large excavation, neatly arranged piles of waste or ruined mills and dressing floors.
Project & Archives
Find and read our latest projects as well as the archive of research work done by the DTRG.
Diary
Check our DIARY for upcoming events.
Membership
Join the DTRG and enjoy the social and academic aspects of DTRG membership.
Links
Brimpts Trails
Self-guided trails that explore the substantial mine workings at Brimpts and a hugely informative display room.
Retail
We sell various publications, themed products and copies of our newsletter.
About DTRG
The Group visits many of the ancient, and more modern remains of stream-works, tin-mills, blowing-houses and tin mines.
Field Trips
The DTRG has a full programme of field trips planned, visiting sites of particular interest of research. These trips provide an invaluable way of gaining knowledge and accurate site assessments. Trips are assisted by members with key expertise in certain areas.
Surveys
When required, DTRG members carry out surveys of tinworking sites to produce detailed maps for research. These maps are an invaluable resource to any study of Dartmoor’s tin.
Interpretation
The DTRG produces interpretations of its work as booklets, formal displays and exhibitions, such as the Brimpts Trails Display Room, partly funded by DNPA.
Preservation
Not only does the DTRG document and research tinworking sites all over Dartmoor, it helps preserve them too. Areas are cleared so that a site can be studied by all.
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1863 adit building burning-house conditions dam dressing-floor history hut ingot leat LiDAR lode meiler mill mine mortar mould Newleycombe peat processing reservoir shaft stamps Steeperton stone straw streamwork survey tin tinner tinners tramway walk wheel-pit wheelpit whim-platt wreck
Tin Straws
by Hilary Whitelock A bundle of tin straws was one of the items which fascinated me at the St Just Mining and Minerals Museum, during the excellent DTRG visit to the Botallack area in May.…
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Caroline Wheal Prosper
Read more: Caroline Wheal ProsperLeader: S. Holley In ideal weather, warm air from the south, a dozen DTRG…
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Walkham Valley Mines
Read more: Walkham Valley MinesGeology The lodes worked occur in an area of clay-slates of Devonian age. Southwards…
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