I have been reading about the chert mines in bakewell as the Holme Bank mine was my first accidental discovery that got me into the whole mine exploring craze that has overtook my spare time...

Its now been almost a whole year since i stumbled into the Chert mine and have now done well over 40 different mines around the peak district and Wales.

I have read about the Pretoria mine close to holme bank and saw the photographs of a guided tour back in 2007 on this forum. My question is, is this mine still accessible? How can i gain access if so? and why is there so little information about this mine when from what i have read, it seems to be quite a large mine compared to Holme Bank? I have a rough understanding of where the mine lies geographically but there is absolutely nothing regarding how or where to gain access?

Any help is much appreciated and i will ensure secrecy if there is a specific interest in keeping this one out of the grasp of the public knowledge.

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It is on private land and access not generally given.
It has been surveyed and archaeologists have given it a good going over.
Any articles and info are or will be in PDMHS publications.
It is the sort of place that may get permission for a namho conference but not for general access, being part of a horse paddock area.

Les

It was on the Government UG accommodation list at one point. (cold war stuff).

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11444995 

The entrance is locked and in full view of the owner's house, and he doesn't take kindly to people turning up and asking to go down. PDMHS do have a good relationship but one way we keep it good is not asking for visits too often...

Apart from the Bowering and Flindall article, I'd suggest you go to the Mining Museum and buy a copy of Mining History 19:6.

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ah well i guess that's that one then... If anybody does get a chance or an event gets access please let me know i would be more than happy to join on that trip as its local to myself.

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Seems like the obvious solution would be join PDMHS...;)

I enquired about joining PDMHS and they said best to wait until next week when the calendar year rolls around on the 1st September so that is a plan i want to follow up :)

Thanks everyone, again! Never a bad bit of advice from you guys!

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Join PDHMS they do around 1 visit a year, or contact a chap called Paul Chandler (again PDHMS) and see if he as any trips planned.

The entrance to the mine used to be a decline entry in the back garden of the house, after the mine was closed the entrance was filled in but an access shaft was installed so the mine could be inspected on a regular basis, about 25 to 30 feet deep and laddered, drops you straight on to the main decline.

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There are no PDMHS underground trips planned at present, nor will there be until the issues with underground cover have been resolved, and it's not as simple as just getting our insurance through the BCA....

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We live not a million miles from Bakewell and I'd never heard of these mines till I read this thread!

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You could read a full historical and archaeological account of these mines if you joined PDMHS (They feature in a recent edition of Mining History.
https://pdmhs.co.uk/mining-history/ 

The Ashford Black Marble Mines should feature later in the year.

We live not a million miles from Bakewell and I'd never heard of these mines till I read this thread!

You'd be surprised whats underneath your feet! I never knew matlock had so many and now i've almost ticked them all off the list 🙂 I'm well overdue on an explore, my next planned one being the Apedale coal drift extended tour in which i have booked myself and 9 other keen explorers onto the 2.30pm trip :)

Whilst i'm here can anybody recommend or advise me on precautions to take during the upcoming season change? Any mines which are totally off limits due to rising water levels or bat hibernation etc? Specifically in the peak district area.

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If you start seriously looking, there are a lot more mines than there appear to be, particularly around Matlock - have you been in Long Tor Top or Carnhill Wife Sough yet, and that's just two of several I could mention - Historytrog could give you a list as long as your arm!

There aren't too many that I'd be careful of in winter - Long Tor Grotto and Cromford Sough could have water issues, the former with river levels at the entrance and the latter certainly sumps, while Merry Tom is the only one I know of that's definitely off limits in winter for bats. Most of the VG mines have bats in to a greater or lesser extent, just try not to shine lights on them or linger near them when they're asleep.

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I've been in groaning tor near the cafe up the hill behind it, balleye, silvereye, looking to join a tour of good luck at some point in the spring, i understand they run tours every month for £5?

Haven't really done many wet mines as most of the guys i explore with don't fancy it... That being said i have been in P8 cave at castleton which is deafening with water cascading down the winding crevices.

I went in jugs the other week and had bats flying round our heads, we put the big head torches away and got out the AAA battery powered low lumen torches to minimise distruption 🙂

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I'm well overdue on an explore, my next planned one being the Apedale coal drift extended tour in which i have booked myself and 9 other keen explorers onto the 2.30pm trip :)

You'll definitely enjoy the Apedale trip, one of the best tourist coal mine trips I've been on :thumbup:

Off topic, apologies.

... looking to join a tour of good luck at some point in the spring, i understand they run tours every month for £5?

There is no charge, though a donation would be very welcome. Contact the club secretary and let him know how many people are visiting, and if you'll be needing to borrow lids/lamps.

We're quite knowledgeable about the area and maybe could suggest a few other mines which are worth a visit.

Regards,

A. Spokesperson.

I have been in talks with goodluck before but never got around to it and i think it will be spring now before i get a chance as i am back at university to do my final year after 7 long years. Due to hand final assignment in around April then possibly treat myself to a tour of goodluck around the 16th for my 29th birthday 🙂

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