Going to family over holidays and wonderd whats nearby.
Won't have all day so something quite near with a couple of hours underground. Thank's in advance.

From memory, Leek rail tunnel and Cheddleton Flint Mill, not sure of the coal remnants.

Anything in the South Peak District...
Hillocks and Knotlow both spring quickly to mind....

Try Ecton Hill the mines there are fabulous but you do need to sort out access with the trustees

There are coal mine remains at Cheadle and of course around Cheddleton
Mike

Dale Mine close to Ecton Mines is worth a look - or Robin's Shaft Mine further South. Much depends on party size and equipment available - and how wet you want to get! More caves and mines in the Manifold Valley. Do please check access arrangements wherever you go.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Will have a poke around whilst iam down there cheers

I meant Foxfield Colliery which I recall there are remains there such as a head gear and is part of th eFoxfield railway

mike

Most of the underground stuff at Ecton takes some time to sort out access for and you need an approved leader to accompany you so there's no chance of getting in, but there's Birch's level that you can just walk into near the roadside. Swainsley level is also open but unless you wish to immerse your nuts in freezing water to see a forefield and a sheep skeleton, don't bother. Limepits mine is worth a look if you can find the entrance, it's below the old railway track going back towards Ecton from the Wetton tunnel.

Otherwise, there are several open holes in the Via Gellia (A5012) like Groaning Tor or Dunsley Springs levels that should be dry-ish, or off the same road at Pikehall there's Mouldridge mine (which I was planning on doing t'owd mans candle in on Christmas eve if the weather holds). Likewise, there's Devonshire or Wapping/Cumberland at Matlock Bath

The main roads are currently OK round the Peak but minor roads that aren't bus routes won't have been gritted so best stick to main roads unless you're coming up in a Landie! :lol:

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Swainsley level is also open but unless you wish to immerse your nuts in freezing water to see a forefield and a sheep skeleton, don't bother.

I've developed a strange liking for this sort of trip, how does one find the entrance? Could be one for next time I'm about 🙂

Mouldridge mine (which I was planning on doing t'owd mans candle in on Christmas eve if the weather holds).

I've heard of this, could you explain more?

Most of the underground stuff at Ecton takes some time to sort out access for and you need an approved leader to accompany you so there's no chance of getting in, but there's Birch's level that you can just walk into near the roadside. Swainsley level is also open but unless you wish to immerse your nuts in freezing water to see a forefield and a sheep skeleton, don't bother. Limepits mine is worth a look if you can find the entrance, it's below the old railway track going back towards Ecton from the Wetton tunnel.

Otherwise, there are several open holes in the Via Gellia (A5012) like Groaning Tor or Dunsley Springs levels that should be dry-ish, or off the same road at Pikehall there's Mouldridge mine (which I was planning on doing t'owd mans candle in on Christmas eve if the weather holds). Likewise, there's Devonshire or Wapping/Cumberland at Matlock Bath

The main roads are currently OK round the Peak but minor roads that aren't bus routes won't have been gritted so best stick to main roads unless you're coming up in a Landie! :lol:

Thanks for that, certainly dont want to upset anyone regarding access so will steer clear of those restricted mines.
My well have a mooch around the other places weather pemitting.

And no iam not going in a 4x4 a humble mondeo.

There are mining museums at Apedale and Matlock as well Bri, both relatively close by if they happen to be open during the holidays.
Might not be the underground action you're looking for but they will no doubt both provide a few hours respite from the family madness.

Being the so called festive season they are bound to be closed. Being a grumpy old man (although nowhere as old as that old bloke who must have finaly moved to a small house somewhere in wales) its the one thing I hate of the season when I have most free time and incentive to visit these things

Mike