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Nenthead
Mine Sign
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Nenthead Mines Nenthead in 1825 was a bustling village of some 1500 people, mostly Methodist and employed by the Quaker Lead Company in the Nenthead mines - the most productive in the country. The benevolent Quakers built, amongst other things, houses, a school, public baths and a wash-house for the miners and their families. The people lived their lives - mining all week and working on their smallholdings each weekend - as a way of life which changed little for over 100 years. Everything changes and falling lead prices and cheap imports caused many families to emigrate to America and Australia in the late nineteenth century, and the mines were sold to the Belgian Vielle Montagne Company who mined for zinc until the early 1940's. Nenthead Mines finally closed in 1961. Revisit
the mines: The tour begins at the Horse Level portal (c1815), adjacent to Carrs Mineshop, and then follows the horse level to a junction where other workings are explored. After returning to the junction, the horse level is then followed along the line of the vein towards the river and ladderway. Many rises and other workings can be seen along the route, and after the climb to the second level, examples of flat workings can be seen before exiting the mine next to the river. The walk back over the surface gives a panoramic view of the valley as it crosses old washing floors and dumps down to Carrs Mineshop. Throughout the trip, the guides explain some of the history of this mine, its geology and techniques used by the miners and offers an excellent understanding of these underground working conditions and the lives of the people who lived in the area. Nenthead Mines |
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