Category Archives: Walks and underground trips

Stoney Middleton Mining Heritage Walk Report

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The weather forecasts before our walk on October 13th had been pretty ominous, with rain, high winds and even lightening forecast. But PDMHS walkers are a hardy bunch, and a total of 14 of us turned out to brave the elements at our meeting place at the bottom of Coombs Dale in Stoney Middleton. 

This was an all-day circular walk which was packed with features of mining interest. Only a couple of fields from our starting point, we crossed over Peakstone Rake by the site of Wren Park Mine, before entering Coombsdale Wood with its old limestone quarry. The quarry has been used as a tip for domestic waste in the past, and here we found a large shaft covered with scaffolding poles – which we concluded was probably an old lime kiln which has been almost completely buried by the tipping. Continue reading →

Peak District Mining Heritage Walks and Underground Mine Trips

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Here are the guided walks and underground mine visits we currently have planned for the next few months in the Derbyshire Peak District. Do keep checking back here, as more walks and underground trips will be added to the list. 

All our walks are free, and are open to all (not just PDMHS members). However, pre-booking is required when walks are limited to a certain number of people. As the walks are all also weather-dependent, we can keep you informed by email of any changes or cancellation in the event of bad weather. You can contact us at meets@pdmhs.com. Any changes due to weather conditions will also be posted on the website, so it is advisable to check back here before you set out.

Also, if you are planning on attending with a large number of friends, it would be worth checking with us in advance about car parking availability. 

Donate to support the work of Peak District Mines Historical SocietyOur walks are free but if you would like to express your appreciation, a donation would be very welcome. Alternatively you might like to join PDMHS.

Insurance is compulsory for those going on underground trips. The PDMHS UEG (Underground Exploration Group) can arrange this if you don’t already hold BCA insurance. You can contact the UEG here.

If you want to find out more information about any of our guided mining and industrial heritage walks, contact Chris at meets@pdmhs.com

Saturday November 24 – Underground training trip in Devonshire Cavern, Matlock Bath. Fully booked.

Leader: Martin Long

Meet at 1pm at the Mining Museum.

This trip is primarily intended as an electron ladder training session for new members, or for any members wanting a refresher in ladder technique. Booking is essential – contact meets@pdmhs.com to reserve your place. 

Tuesday December 4 – Underground trip into Nickergrove Mine, Stoney Middleton

Leader:  Arthur Wilson

Meet at 7pm at the sub-station parking at the bottom of Eyam Dale. 8 places available. Booking is essential – contact meets@pdmhs.com to reserve your place.

A walking trip into this part-natural mine located in Cucklet Delph. The trip may involve ladder descent and tight free climbs into a lower level then exit up Didsbury Shaft if desired.

Optional drinks afterwards at the Miners Arms, Eyam.

Monday December 31st – Barmote Heritage Walk around Monyash.

Leader: Adam Russell.

Meet at the cross in the centre of Monyash at 9.30am. 

This 6-mile walk will visit a number of sites in the Monyash area with a general theme of mining law and disputes. Afterwards, there will be the option to visit the Bulls Head Inn – the traditional venue for the High Peak Barmote Court – and, in keeping with tradition, “partake of ale”.

Bring a packed lunch. All welcome – no pre-booking required.

Tuesday January 29th – Underground trip to Crackendale Mine, Ashford-in-the-Water.

Leader:  Adam Russell

Meet at 7pm at the bottom of Longreave Lane.
This easy walking trip will visit this small but interesting working, with some fine high packwalls. There is a squeeze at the entrance but otherwise mostly walking/stooping height passage. Further details of the mine can be found in Observations and Discoveries part 40.

6 places available. Booking is essential – contact meets@pdmhs.com to reserve your place.

Optional drinks afterwards at the Packhorse Inn, Little Longstone.

Trip is by kind permission of the Chatsworth Estates.

Saturday January 12th – Mining Heritage Walk to Bar Brook Smelter and Slag Mill.

Leader: Chris James

A short, fairly gentle walk to help get over the excesses of Christmas and New Year! Meet at 10.00am in the Pay & Display car park next to the Robin Hood Inn on the A619 Baslow to Chesterfield Road (grid ref: SK281721, postcode DE45 1PU).

The walk is 3-4 miles long, and will involve about 300ft of ascent from the lowest point to the highest, though it is fairly flat for much of its length. 

In addition to the C17th Bar Brook smelt mills, we will see evidence of coal mining at Baslow Colliery, gritstone quarrying along Gardom’s Edge, packhorse roads and wayside crosses. There are also extensive Bronze Age archaeological remains along Gardom’s Edge – including the well-known cup and ring stone, and two standing stones.

All welcome – no pre-booking required. Optional drink afterwards at the Robin Hood Inn.

Underground mine trips restarted

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As members will be aware, PDMHS had to temporarily suspend underground trips last year because our existing insurance was not providing sufficient cover for underground activities. PDMHS needs more people to help us record, survey, and preserve the underground heritage of Derbyshire’s mines, so the solution we have decided on is the formation of an autonomous group within PDMHS. It will be called the Underground Exploration Group (UEG), and will apply for member club status with the British Caving Association and take part in the BCA Public Liability Insurance scheme. Continue reading →

Duckmanton Railway Cutting and Arkwright Town, near Chesterfield.

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Saturday 17th February 2018. Only one place still available.

Prior booking essential – meeting arrangements will be supplied when booking your place(s).

Organiser: Paul Chandler. 
Paul Guion (East Midlands Geological Society) has kindly agreed to show us around this very important and unique geological site. A short, easy walk from Arkwright Town will bring us to the Duckmanton Railway Cutting (located on the long closed Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway line between Chesterfield and Lincoln). The cutting is now split by a filled bridge, with access to the west side being over a stile and down some concrete steps. Access to the east side is over another stile and down a zig-zag inclined path. As the railway cutting will be wet underfoot, wellies are essential. Please also bring a helmet (if you require one, please mention it when booking, as Paul’s stock is limited).
Further information and photographs of Duckmanton Railway Cutting can be found here.
In addition, Paul will be giving us the background to the fascinating story of why an entire Derbyshire coal mining village, Arkwright Town, was “moved” in the 1990s.
 
Duration approx 2hrs. Party size is limited to 20 (including 5 places for Masson Caving Group members). Booking is essential, and priority will be given to PDMHS and MCC members. Contact Paul at meets@pdmhs.com or tel: 01246-220773. If over-subscribed, you will be added to a reserve list.
Visit is courtesy of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (permit supplied) and many thanks to Paul Guion for leading the walk.   
 
Donate to Peak District Mines Historical Society
 Please help us to keep these walks free by giving us a donation if you are not already a member of PDMHS. Alternatively, why not join us?