Tavistock: grid reference SX487705

Sortridge and Bedford Mine lies almost 2 miles south sou'west of Whitchurch, near Tavistock, in the West Devon Mining District. Ore from the mine would have been shipped from Morwellham Quay, some 3 miles from the mine. Historical records state that in 1856: 'The mine is held under a lease for 21 years, at a royalty of 1-15th, granted by William Courtenay, Esq., of Woodmancote, Hants. The country is killas, and the dip south. There is granite in the neighbourhood. The known lodes on the sett are several. The known crosscourses are four. There has been a shaft sunk 30 fathoms. The engine-shaft is sunk 16 fathoms. The mine is worked and drained by a waterwheel. The minerals found in this sett include tin and copper. This mine was first opened and worked by a London company, under the name of West Down, for tin; it was afterwards worked by a London company, under the name of Sortridge and Bedford. This mine is now worked for copper. The company is on the costbook system, and consists of 12,000 shares. The purser is W. B. Harvey, of Tavistock; the captain is Thomas Treweek. The London offices are at 20 St. Helen's place, Bishopsgate street; the secretary or agent is Henry Peet.' Despite this report there are no surviving records of production.