If you’re staying in West Cornwall and want something that combines dramatic coastal scenery, real Cornish history and genuinely excellent food, a visit to Geevor Tin Mine should be high on your list. Set on the cliffs near Pendeen, just along from St Just, Geevor offers one of the most authentic mining experiences in the country. And right next door, you’ll find the Count House Café. Which, in our opinion, serves some of the best breakfasts in West Cornwall.
Explore Cornwall’s Mining Heritage at Geevor Tin Mine
Geevor is one of the largest preserved mining sites in the UK and part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site.
This isn’t a quick wander around a small museum. It’s a proper, immersive experience.
You can:
- Go underground on a guided tour
- Explore the original engine houses
- Walk through historic buildings and workshops
- Learn how tin mining shaped Cornwall’s landscape and communities
Standing above the Atlantic with old engine houses behind you, you get a real sense of how tough and dramatic life here once was.
It’s educational, but never dull. Even if you’re not a “museum person”, the setting alone makes it worth the trip.
The Count House Café: Worth the Visit on Its Own
Now for the part we really recommend.
Right beside Geevor sits the beautifully restored Count House Café, overlooking the sea. It’s one of those places that feels special the moment you walk in.
And the food? Genuinely excellent.
Breakfast at the Count House Café
If you do one thing... book breakfast!
Their breakfasts are fantastic. Properly cooked, generous, high-quality ingredients and served in a relaxed but polished setting. Whether you go full Cornish or keep it lighter, everything feels considered and well done.
It gets busy, especially in spring and summer, so booking ahead is essential. Locals know how good it is, which tells you everything.
Lunch with a View
If breakfast doesn’t fit your plans, lunch is just as good.
Seasonal dishes, homemade cakes, and good coffee. All served with sweeping views over the cliffs and Atlantic. On a clear day, sitting outside with that view feels pretty hard to beat.
It’s the kind of place you plan to stop for an hour and end up staying much longer.
 |  |
Make a Day of It
One of the best ways to enjoy this part of West Cornwall is to:
- Book a breakfast at the Count House Café
- Explore Geevor Tin Mine and maybe go underground
- Walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path towards Levant or Pendeen Lighthouse
It’s a brilliant mix of history, scenery and great food.
Staying at Knocker Cottage
From Knocker Cottage, Geevor Tin Mine is an easy drive and makes a perfect day out during a spring stay in Cornwall.
If you’re planning a spring break in West Cornwall, add Geevor and the Count House Café to your list. You won’t regret it.