Ecton Mine Reopenning (Tourism) · AditNow Community

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LeeW
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

I got Januarys edition of Geoscientist and there was an article about Ecton Mines, in which it says it is opening up to tourists. Over the past few years (about 10 I think) the mine has been closed to visitors and it has recently changed ownership.
;D 😉
And it's a copper mine not in Cornwall or North Wales!

I went in a mine once.... it was dark and scary..... full of weirdos

When do I get my soapbox, I need to rant on about some b***cks

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AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

The mine hasn't actually changed hands as such, but what has happened is that the Ecton Trust which was set up by the late Geoff Cox (who bought the mineral rights back in the 1970s) has sorted out various legalities and formalities so they can start doing what they were established to do, which is to use the mines as an educational resource. They've been restoring the Folly (large 1930's house built in front of the main upper adit, Salt's Level) so that it can be used as a residential field centre again, I don't think they're planning to do tourist trips as such but will be allowing parties in accompanied by designated persons. If I hear more, I'll post it up, and if they are going to allow underground visits I'm willing to consider organising a meet there if anyone's interested :thumbup:

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

LeeW
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

I wasn't too sure about the changing ownership etc. It would definately be nice being open as a field centre again.
I would be up for a visit, do you know if it's just Salt's Level or Claytons aswell? I've not been in Claytons but I know you need wellies or waders.

It would be nice if some of the surface features on Ecton could be sorted out like new fences and a few caps (accessible) to stop everyone falling in a big hole. May be a few plaques to show people which bits are what at the various mines. The whole hill kinda just looks 'overgrown' if that makes sense

I went in a mine once.... it was dark and scary..... full of weirdos

When do I get my soapbox, I need to rant on about some b***cks

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

Both Deep Ecton/Salts and Clayton should be visitable - PDMHS did trips into both a couple of months back, and are planning more in the new year as both trips were heavily over-subscribed.

The situation with the surface features is a bit more complicated - some parts of the hill are owned by the National Trust now, others aren't. I wholeheartedly agree that the top of Ecton Pipe could do with gridding over, the Engine house could do with repairing and the engine shaft needs the rotten railway sleepers replacing with something a bit more durable. I'm not sure what you could do about the Clayton pipe opening, it's somewhat big to cap!

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

LeeW
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

How big is the Clayton Pipe opening?
There are some big coal mine shafts that have been capped - but access to these was fairly easy.

I thought part of the lead legacy report was the ID which shafts needed capping etc or was the another job proposal

I went in a mine once.... it was dark and scary..... full of weirdos

When do I get my soapbox, I need to rant on about some b***cks

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

Pretty big - it reminds me of that thing that lived in the sand in Return of the Jedi, in that it's a big cone-shaped hole in the side of the hill. It is fenced, but as it's on a steep hillside you'd have real trouble getting suitably substantial capping materials to it unless you can get a helicopter.....

The Lead Legacy was never intended to identify shafts for capping, it was to form a list of the significant mine remains in the Peak which should be preserved if at all possible. Shaft capping has mainly been done by Derbyshire County Council over the years (hence why Ecton hasn't been done) and their priority is making safe shafts that the general public might have access to. I do know that CPCC did some capping work for the National Trust on Ecton, but this was mainly the smaller shafts.

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!