The underground tour starts at the portal of the Tuckingmill decline.  This 5m by 3m inclined tunnel was excavated during the mid 1980’s and was intended to be the main mine access. The upper sections which pass through poor ground close to surface contain steel arches for support. 50m down from the portal on the right-hand side is the connectiion to Eastern Valley Shaft which was part of the famous Dolcoath Mine.  The decline was driven approximately 600m from surface and in 1988 all work stopped, only the top 250m is accessible above the water level.  At a point 200m from the portal, access has been gained to the series of parallel stopes which belong to the North Tincroft Lode, sections of these are very old, late 1600’s but the last major period of working dates from the early 1900’s to the 1940’s.  Traditional open shrink stoping has been employed and pillars left for support, this has given rise to some very large voids. The maximum depth below surface that you will reach on the tour is about 150 feet (45m).