Kennall Vale Nature Reserve | Video Credit: Cornwall Wildlife Trust
This hidden wonder, tucked away in Ponsonooth, Cornwall, the Kennall Vale Nature Reserve provides a unique amalgamation of natural beauty and rich industrial history. Once the site of a bustling gunpowder factory, the nature reserve now offers a peaceful woodland retreat filled with flourishing flora, diverse wildlife, and echoes of its intriguing past.
The Kennall Vale, between Redruth and Penryn, exhibits an enchanting woodland landscape, crisscrossed by the vigorous River Kennall. The river, once a powerhouse for the gunpowder factory, today adds a calming aura with its constant murmuring, only interrupted by the occasional birdsong.
A walk through Kennall Vale is akin to strolling through an open-air industrial museum. The remains of the former Kennall Gunpowder Company, which ceased operations more than a century ago, are strewn across the nature reserve. Strategically located, the factory utilised the fast-flowing river to power its waterwheels, keeping away from the hazardous steam power that could ignite the explosive powder.
The factory was cleverly designed, with each mill isolated by trees to contain potential explosions, and was close to Cornwall’s productive mines. Despite stringent precautions, including special woollen suits for workers and machinery made of heat-reducing copper, the site was not immune to accidents. One notable disaster in 1838 saw five mills explode successively, resulting in the loss of one life.
Over time, the once prominent gunpowder mills succumbed to nature and the rise of more potent explosives. The Kennall Vale was further industrialised in the early 20th century by a granite quarry, producing fine-grained granite for London’s Embankment. Today, the relics of the past are slowly being overgrown by a verdant carpet of moss and ferns, and the abandoned quarry is now a serene water body, complete with a breathtaking rock face.
Now managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the Kennall Vale Nature Reserve offers a habitat for many species, including the greater horseshoe bat, and is one of the best places in Cornwall to spot dippers. The reserve, equal distances from Redruth, Penryn, and Truro, welcomes visitors and their four-legged friends for free, making it a favoured destination for dog walkers.
For those seeking a tranquil day out in Cornwall that blends the allure of nature with the fascination of historical industry, the Kennall Vale Nature Reserve is a hidden gem. Just remember to pack your walking boots and keep an eye out for the ruins of the past peeking through the lush greenery.
For a more adventurous day out in the forest, check out our article showcasing some of the best bushcraft courses in Cornwall, led by some of the top survival experts in the South West.
