Hello all,

Joied today after becoming interested in the prospect of exploring the notts and Derbyshire network of mines.

I'm based in ollerton, and I've become interested in the local history of the collieries around this and Derbyshire area, and am looking to explore these if possible.This interest also goes hand in hand wit myother hobbie - phtotgraphy in particular, lightpainting.

I understand that Middleton in Derbyshire is a good place to start for a beginners explore.

I would welcome any information on middleton as well as

Matlock bath area mines,

Pleasley, welbeck, annesley, bevercotes, clipstone collieries.

As a teenager I was sent down several potholes around the matlock bath area with friends and family and its now something that I am once again very interested in.

Any info at all much appreciated.

Get "Caves of the Peak District" pub by Dalesman.

Try moorbooks for it

Worth every penny.

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Duley noted many thanks!

Latest issue published by Hucklow Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9563473-2-9, check out DCA website ;

http://thedca.org.uk/ 

and order a copy there.

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Try the Wirksworth Mines Research Group. There's several accomplished photographers there.

Welcome to the site, another local.

They are a few nice easy mines in Derbyshire, being a novice underground explorer myself, I found Devonshire cavern/mine good and Holme bank a nice site with some good photo ops.

They are a few members with better details of the mines in Derbyshire.

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Thanks for info, I will research...
I think I may actually have been in Devonshire as a teenager with a gentleman I held I very high regard named Dave Mcdowell. He passed away some time ago now but I wasn't sure if anyone on here knew him. He was quite well known amongst the derbyshire 'out doors type' community.


I also vaguely recall on another occasion being sent through a small gap called 'the polo'....? don't know if this means anything to anyone lol.

Away from the main routes, Devonshire is full of small gaps and squeezes! The two other sizeable and easily accessible mines around Matlock Bath are Wapping/Cumberland and Great Masson, there's also Jugholes further north, and heading further west Mouldridge Mine at Pikehall is worth a look.

Middleton limestone mine is still on care and maintenance and has no legitimate access - Omya have given up on the place but Tarmac haven't, they still have an outstanding application for extension of the working permission lodged with DCC minerals planning.

As for coal mines, any modern collieries will have all shafts sealed as part of decomissioning unless they're linked to a still working mine, and there's the minor matter it's illegal to enter an abandoned coal mine without the Coal Authority's permission. If you want to go down a coal mine go to Apedale or Caphouse, though you won't be able to take a camera down.

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