Hello people, we're a couple in our early thirties with an interest of getting underground, we've done show caves and a little exploring on our own but we would like to progress our experience a little, unfortunately we're in Lincolnshire so we have very little local and the couple of mines we do are closed up. Our question is where do we go from here?:)

The Derbyshire Peak District is the closest significant region to you where there is a good range of mines (mainly for lead) that are accessible. Many connect to natural cave systems which can add interest. Access to many requires SRT (abseiling and prussicking) but some are accessible without SRT.

There are numerous books. Of those in print, possibly the most useful when beginning to explore the region's mines would be I.Barker "Classic Caves of the Peak District", Crowood Press, Marlborough, 1997, which includes a useful selection of mines.

There is also a good deal of information online, on this website, on the UK Caving Wiki, and on the Derbyshire Caving Association website.

Indeed - Derbyshire is probably the best. The Matlock/Matlock Bath area would probably be a good introduction, as many mines are closer to surface and tend to be 'horizontal' in profile, meaning you can walk, or at worst crawl about in them. The mines nearer Bradwell/Castleton tend to be of the deeper variety with rope-access the only practical means of entry, but there still plenty to see in those areas which are less challenging. With a bit of planning, you can even fit in more than one in a day!

There's plenty more in the south of the orefield too, around Wirksworth, but my experience of those is almost zero - there are many better qualified than me to describe those.

You may find a visit to the Peak District Mining Museum at The Grand Pavilion, Matlock Bath, helpful. Run by the Peak District Mines Historical Society there are lots of relevant publications on sale there as well as a fine collection of artefacts, photographs, etc (and some artificial shafts and levels for you to clamber about in!).

Would recommend highly a visit to the PDMHS museum in Matlock Bath, even my wife found it interesting. The folk in there are very knowledgeable and will tell you where to look / go.

Welcome to the group!

Clive
(Slate mine explorer, especially Cwmorthin!)

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Thanks people all good information for us to mull over. Does anyone see an issue with us exploring mines on our own? We know getting training and attending meets is probably the accepted route but given I work continental shifts it's rare we can fit in a normal schedule. We do have common sense 😮

Always have a look on here for info - access issues, mine plans etc before you go exploring - even ask questions as to whether there are dodgy areas to avoid like bad ground, bad air etc. Also look on Mine-explorer website as well (although it's currently experiencing operational difficulties at the moment). Both sites and the folk on them are 'mines' of information (if you'll pardon the pun)...

Follow the usually accepted rule of min. 4 in a party then if something goes wrong, 1 can go back for help while the others look after the casualty, also let someone know EXACTLY where you're going and what time you expect to be out. Add some contingency time then give them a time when to call out the troops if they haven't heard from you...

Clive

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Nearest area to Lincoln is Derbyshire, DCA is the regional body;

http://thedca.org.uk/ 

for info on guide book, access, etc.

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Thanks people all good information for us to mull over. Does anyone see an issue with us exploring mines on our own? We know getting training and attending meets is probably the accepted route but given I work continental shifts it's rare we can fit in a normal schedule. We do have common sense :o

Some clubs run midweek and evening trips as well as conventional weekend trips - might help you?

If going as a twosome, taking reliable back-up lights is a priority.

As has been said, Derbyshire is likely the nearest to you. But don't let that put you off, every cloud has a silver lining and what have you. If you live in North Lincolnshire you might be lucky enough to find that parts of Yorkshire aren't too far off. Why settle for second best! 😉

The best ones for you to try in the Peak would be Mouldridge, Devonshire, Wapping/Cumberland, or Great Masson, although be aware Devonshire is quite a complex system, particularly if you stray off the main routes. I can sometimes act as guide on evenings if you'd prefer having someone who knows the system, but otherwise, Mouldridge is a good beginner's mine, survey available on the PDMHS website in Bulletin 9:2

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Again thanks we've been in some interesting locations and have an understanding of nature and it's wrath so we respect her fully. I'm first aid trained and recently passed a confined spaces course which has highlighted a few things for me. Saftey is paramount. I'm aware this is a can of worms but is there a quick quite to equipment etc

Again thanks we've been in some interesting locations and have an understanding of nature and it's wrath so we respect her fully. I'm first aid trained and recently passed a confined spaces course which has highlighted a few things for me. Saftey is paramount. I'm aware this is a can of worms but is there a quick quite to equipment etc

Try this for some light reading! ;)
http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mining-information-archives/ 

Also

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/static/about-mine-exploration.aspx 

and the DCC Website here:

http://www.derbyscc.org.uk/index.php 

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thanks again guys, you've all given me stuff to work with and yes im North east lincs so yorkshire is accessible to us also:)

okay so after reading the links you guys posted up ive more questions (sorry!) okay bad air? so how do you know if you're heading into black damp? whats the warning signs? (if any)

what gear do you normally take? i presume wellies, torch and head torch plus back up, boilersuit and a hard hat and let people know entry points and a return time. anything else?

Black damp is in coal mines. Everything suggested to see is in metal mines, so no need to worry about that.

You have the basics in terms of gear and callout etc... If you get more into it then, there is better gear to have that will keep you more comfortable, but take that up further down the line.

Food for underground eaties is good as well if your that way inclined.

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Bad air (of various sorts and due to various causes) is very rare indeed in UK non ferrous metal mines. If you are visiting mines that are in guidebooks (such as Derbyshire caving guides) then the rare instances where such dangers might exist will be clearly mentioned in the guidebooks.

Problems are largely confined to coal mines and to stratified ironstone mines; neither class of mine sis widely visited by mine explorers and the limited number of people who are active in those fields are mostly well equipped with gas detection equipment.

In reply to your mention of things to take: boilersuit, wellies or boots, soft-soled wetsocks (you'll often encounter water deeper than wellies), helmet with light mounted on it (you'll need your hands free for small climbs and scrambles at times so a hand torch tends to be an encumbrance), small rucksack with food, drink and spare lighting - those are the essentials.

A camera might be worth taking but it'll need protection from damp, mud and knocks and bumps.

Some people take pencil and paper to make notes of routes and where they've been - never paint arrows or anything on the walls; if you are uncertain about route finding, sketch a plan of complex areas as you go. You will rarely see good minerals in well-trodden mines so don't bother taking a hammer - mineral collecting is not universally well-regarded anyway (many fine exposures have been ruined by indiscriminate hammering). The old saying "take nothing but photos; leave nothing but footprints" is a fine guide to how to behave - no one likes seeing litter or paint in historic mines or in natural caves, and artefacts and minerals are best left in place for others coming after you to also see and enjoy.

In your vehicle it's wise to have a complete change of clothes, a towel, and sacks or carry crates for your mucky gear. Oh - and money for the inevitable trip to the pub afterwards!

Thanks, seems we're pretty much set up for this having other hobbies that use similar equipment is going to prove useful. you said soft soled wet socks? are these similar to seal skins? We already have a bump proof waterproof camera so all good on that front. I've read access to lots of mines are through bolted gates so I guess some tools are required, would a guide book tell me of what's required? oh I've ordered the book recommended at the top of this thread.:)

The best ones for you to try in the Peak would be Mouldridge, Devonshire, Wapping/Cumberland, or Great Masson, although be aware Devonshire is quite a complex system, particularly if you stray off the main routes. I can sometimes act as guide on evenings if you'd prefer having someone who knows the system, but otherwise, Mouldridge is a good beginner's mine, survey available on the PDMHS website in Bulletin 9:2

Thanks AR just got round to reading the report and found it informative, we would probably appreciate a guide at some point in the future.