Killhope Museum

About the museum

Killhope in Upper Weardale was one of the lead-mining sites of the North Pennines. The WB Lead Company began driving the Park Level horse level in 1853, and progress was slow: the first 500 metres took about five years. After roughly twenty years the miners cut a rich vein that gave work to more than a hundred men. In 1878 the Park Level Mill was brought into use to speed up the washing of the ore, and its centrepiece was a large waterwheel. The company closed its operations in the district in 1883 after lead prices fell, and the mine finally closed around 1910, with a brief reopening during the First World War.

The wheel is now the largest surviving waterwheel in the north of England, with a diameter of about 10.3 metres, and is listed Grade II*. By 1980 it was facing demolition, and restoration of the site began that year. The museum opened to the public in 1984, and the Park Level mine followed in 1996. Much of the underground experience has been reconstructed for safety reasons but it still gives an authentic impression of a lead miner's working life. The site won the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year award in 2008.

The museum is run by Durham County Council. Restoration work funded by Arts Council England and the council (about 1.15 million pounds) has protected the underground mine, washing floor, mine shop, buddle house and jigger house and restored the wheel and its water supply. A planned reopening in May 2026 has been postponed because a possible safety problem was found with the historic reservoirs that supply the wheel, and a full geotechnical survey is needed first.

Highlights

• Killhope Wheel, the largest surviving waterwheel in northern England
• Park Level lead mine with an underground experience
• Restored washing floor, mine shop, buddle house and jigger house
• Park Level Mill with the story of ore dressing
• Setting in the North Pennines landscape

Permanent exhibition

• Park Level mine and Killhope Wheel – The restored underground mine, washing floor and large waterwheel, planned to reopen as a fully working and moving museum with interactive experiences.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Durham County Council

Admission & discounts

The museum is currently closed to visitors; the date of reopening has not been announced.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

An accessibility statement is published on the museum website.

Kids & families

The museum is currently closed to visitors; the date of reopening has not been announced.

Getting there & parking

The museum is currently closed to visitors; the date of reopening has not been announced.

Amenities & dining

The museum is currently closed to visitors; the date of reopening has not been announced.

Events & venue rental

The museum is currently closed to visitors; the date of reopening has not been announced.

Plan your visit