I managed to totally miss NAMHO and the visits and was considering visiting Bowden Hill and Leven Seat fairly soon. Could someone possibly enlighten me about the best places to enter them?

Cheers,

#6.

numbersix,

The most obvious entrances of Bowden Hill are at NS978748, above the footpath. There are several, maybe more than 10, along most of the north face of the hill. You will find them easily. I did look, and could not see any on the south side. I do believe that the limestone is continuous through the hill, but the south side is very steep, and I guess they had sufficient ventilation without going right through.

The west end looked older than the east, as there was much more weathering, and encroachment by undergrowth.

I have never been in these workings, as I was wearing my best clothes on the day of my visit, around 1969, but a quick look in the entrances suggested fairly extensive room and pillar workings. I must go back some time.

There are other limestone mines in the area, but I can't remember exactly where, but not far from NT004748. Under the road, if I remember correctly. And of course Hilderston is not too far.

Alan

Thanks for that, I will go and have a recce.

The other mine you mentioned looks like Hillhouse which I have been in before. Small, but perfectly formed 🙂

Yes,it would have been Hillhouse. I must have a look at that too, next time I am in Scotland. Only this time I will be properly equipped!

Thanks for that, found it easily this week. I will need to go back again with more time and a camera!

I will look forward to seeing the photos!

Alan

Was there last night. Quite different to other limestone mines I've been in. The place is wrecked, you're often walking in the voids above the original tunnels. They've collapsed and you can see the tops of the roof pillars sticking up out of the floor!!

The trip involved lots of crawling/dragging yourself through narrow boulder chokes. Knee pads are essential as I found out to my detriment.

hey,

I know that this discussion is quite old but I must point out that there is a presence of bats in these mines and it wouldn't be the best idea to interfere with their habitat with numbers dwindling and all. Just a suggestion though.

Also there were possibly once 10 mines but 6 of them are now blocked off. If you start off from the eastern side of the slope and walk along west its hard to miss any of them.

Enjoy

Sam