Over the last six months, we have undertaken a community history project focused on Treffry Viaduct and the Luxulyan Valley, which has aimed to connect local communities with this unique part of their industrial heritage.
One of 13 historic sites which Cornwall Heritage Trust care for, Treffry Viaduct is a 19th-century architectural wonder hidden in the Luxulyan Valley near St Austell. The viaduct is a Scheduled Monument and an integral part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, as designated by UNESCO. It can be reached via Luxulyan Valley train station, on the Atlantic Coast railway branch line between Par and Newquay.
The project has been made possible by a grant of £10,105 from GWR. We would like to say a huge thank you to GWR for its generous support, which has enabled us to deliver this exciting programme of interpretive and access works to bring this nationally significant site to life for local communities.
The Treffry Viaduct with John Smith – A Film
As part of this project, we produced a 20-minute film, which sees archaeologist and historian, John Smith take viewers on a whistle-stop tour of the incredible story behind this historic monument and its beautiful surroundings.
John’s career included 23 years as Field Officer and Senior Archaeologist with Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU), during which time he directed a major landscape survey of the Luxulyan Valley.
A huge thank you to GWR for making this film possible. We would also like to thank Jonathan and Sarah Treffry for kindly inviting us into their home and allowing us to film at Place – footage which, we hope you agree, adds a great deal of context to the story of Joseph Treffry. Our grateful thanks go to the Friends of Luxulyan Valley for allowing us to use their map of the valley and to Lightbox Studios for their hard work putting the film together. Finally, we would like to extend a huge thank you to John for his time, patience and expertise.
We hope you enjoy the film!
The Film Premiere
This film premiered in March 2023 to a packed audience in Luxulyan Village Hall, and we were so pleased to hear how much those who attended enjoyed it!
A number of volunteers helped at the screening and did sterling service helping set up, looking after our guests, serving teas and coffees and distributing pasties.
Volunteer Conservation Days
This part of the project saw volunteers discover previously hidden evidence of Cornwall’s industrial past at the viaduct. Two days of conservation saw volunteers uncovering evidence of the old tramway by clearing away soil and material covering two different areas of the site. Their efforts revealed several archaeological features, including granite sleeper blocks at the southern end of the monument and a complete wooden sleeper embedded in the mud on the northern end.

Photo credit: Keith Larby (www.akphotos.net) / Cornwall Heritage Trust volunteer
The tramway is a pathway which connects the valley to Luxulyan railway station, and the clearance aimed to support accessibility, way-finding and walking between the two. The work was guided by a Heritage Impact Assessment undertaken by Cornwall Archaeological Unit.
A number of members from the Friends of Luxulyan Valley were among the volunteers helping on both days, and we are grateful for their support. More information about the Friends of Luxulyan Valley and its work can be found here: https://www.luxulyanvalley.co.uk/
Thank you to everyone who joined us to undertake this vital conservation work. Your hard work has helped us maintain this unique part of Cornwall’s heritage for future generations!
Guided Walk
Our guided walk, which was rescheduled due to poor weather conditions, is now set to take place on Friday 21st April. Limited places are available and booking will open shortly.
The walk is a unique opportunity to visit Treffry Viaduct in the Luxulyan Valley and find out more about its history and management with Dick Cole, our Heritage Sites Officer.
Plan your visit
Treffry Viaduct and the Luxulyan Valley can be easily reached by car, or by train via Luxulyan train station, on the Atlantic Coast railway branch line between Par and Newquay.
There are a huge number of walks to enjoy at this historic site, and our friends at iWalk Cornwall have created two circular walks there for you to enjoy. These are the Luxulyan Valley Circular (3.4 miles/5.5 km) and Luxulyan Valley to Prideaux (4.8 miles/7.8 km).
Address
Luxulyan Valley Car Park, Luxulyan, St Austell, PL26 8YE
OS Map 200; ref SW 058672