Mineral veins
The lead and fluorspar that made these hills valuable — and how the miners chased it underground.
Mine trips
Working history, by lamplight
Hand-cut tunnels dug for lead and fluorspar, left exactly as the miners walked away from them. Our mine trips are as much a story as an adventure.
The experience
Step into the miners' world
Mines feel completely different to wild caves — drier underfoot, hand-cut and full of human stories. By the light of our lamps we follow the levels and chambers worked over centuries, reading the tool marks, timber, rails and shot-holes left behind. We piece together how the ore was found, dug and hauled to the surface.
- Lead & fluorspar
- Timber, rails & shafts
- Story-led by lamplight
- Mostly walking
Known routes: unlike live caves, our mine routes follow established, well-understood workings — so the trip is more predictable whatever the weather has been doing.
What you'll see
History you can reach out and touch
Tools & engineering
Timber supports, rails, ladders and the ingenious ways water and ore were moved by hand.
The human story
The lives, conditions and communities behind the workings — the bit you won't get from a guidebook.
Who it suits
A great first trip underground
Less squeezing
Mine trips are generally more walking and less crawling than wild caves — although some can have the odd squeeze through to another section.
History lovers
If it's the heritage and engineering that draw you underground, the mines are the place to start.
Friends & groups
A memorable, manageable adventure for mixed-ability groups, with everything provided.
Explore a mine with us
Mine half-days from £64 per person and more advanced days from £89 per person, with women-only dates through the season. Private groups by arrangement.