Redruth
Exploring the Town

The Town Clock (1828)

Built to replace an earlier one the open arches at ground level were closed for use as police cells in 1841. Later in 1904 the tower was raised one storey and the original top placed above the new section.

It is said that Trounson's store had blocked the view of the clock for miners living in the top part of the town. Carryon down Fore Street. In the late 19th century there was much rebuilding here and the architecture still reveals a wealth of interesting detail. Lloyds TSB was originally the Cornish Bank. Look for an 18th century slate-hung building at the entrance to Symons Terrace, one of the oldest in the street.

King's Arms

On the right is the pre-Victorian King's Arms - today the Halifax Building Society. Its front courtyard was known as 'Tatey Court' because potatoes were sold here. Fore Street had many inns which were transport centres for horsedrawn coaches as well as drinking houses. People lived over their shops in Fore Street and traders' stalls lined the street, especially on busy Saturday evenings. In the mid-19th century their long back gardens were built over with courts of small cottages that had no plumbing or sanitation. These are now mostly demolished, though Lemin's Court (two properties up from the art deco Regal Cinema) gives an idea of how they looked.

The bottom of Fore Street is the site of the original ford across the stream, covered over since the 18th century.