Geevor Tin Mine
Ancient tin mine haunted by knockers—mysterious spirits from Cornish folklore that warn miners of danger through supernatural tapping sounds echoing through the shafts.
Geevor Mine, which operated from the 18th century until 1990, is steeped in the folklore of Cornish knockers—small, supernatural entities believed to inhabit underground workings. Unlike typical ghosts, knockers were considered helpful spirits by miners, their distinctive knocking sounds serving as warnings of unstable ground or impending danger. Even after the mine’s closure and conversion to a heritage site, the mysterious tapping continues to echo through the preserved tunnels, heard by visitors and staff who venture into the depths where Cornish miners once toiled.
The knockers of Geevor are particularly active in the older sections of the mine that extend far beneath the Atlantic Ocean. Witnesses describe hearing systematic tapping patterns that seem to follow them through the tunnels, sometimes growing urgent and rapid as if warning of danger. Mine guides, many of whom are former miners, treat these sounds with respect, acknowledging the old tradition of leaving small offerings of food for the knockers in exchange for their protection. Several visitors have reported seeing small, shadowy figures darting between support beams, and the distinct sensation of being gently pushed away from areas where rockfalls later occurred.
Beyond the knockers, other paranormal activity plagues Geevor’s extensive underground network. The sounds of miners singing traditional Cornish songs drift through empty galleries, and the rattling of ore carts on rails continues in tunnels where the tracks have long been removed. The engine houses on the surface are particularly active at night, with witnesses reporting the phantom sounds of steam engines and the apparition of a mine captain making his rounds. Former miners who visit the museum sometimes refuse to enter certain areas, claiming they can still feel the oppressive atmosphere of dangerous workings where men died in cave-ins and flooding. The knockers, however, remain the most consistent presence—Cornwall’s ancient spirits still keeping their vigil in the depths.