Minera Lead Mines and Country Park

About the museum

Lead was mined at Minera for centuries, and the first written record dates from 1296. Flooding was a constant problem, and steam pumping engines were used from the late 18th century. Mining was revived in 1848 when John Taylor & Sons formed the Minera Mining Company. A drainage adit and a large Cornish pumping engine made it possible to reach rich lead veins, and production peaked in the 1860s. Falling lead and zinc prices led the company to declare the mines uneconomic in 1908, the pumps were switched off and the assets were sold by 1914.

The country park covers about 53 acres of grassland, woodland and archaeological sites at the head of the Clywedog Valley, next to the villages of Minera and New Brighton. From 1988 the council and the Welsh Development Agency funded work to make the site safe, and a later phase rebuilt the Meadows engine house with replica machinery, as the original engine had been removed in 1914. The park keeps remains of 18th and 19th century lead processing areas, a winding engine house and boiler houses, and there are picnic areas with views over the valley.

The visitor centre was completely redesigned and reopened in 2022 with bilingual interactive displays on the history of the site and with objects from its excavation provided with the help of Wrexham Museums. A community hub in the former toilet block and ranger's office offers a multi-purpose room for talks and events, and accessible toilets. The site is managed with Groundwork North Wales.

Highlights

• Restored beam engine house with replica machinery
• Remains of 18th and 19th century lead processing areas
• Visitor centre with interactive displays and excavated objects
• 53-acre country park with woodland, grassland and picnic areas
• Paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders along the old railway line

Permanent exhibitions

• Visitor centre exhibition – Interactive, bilingual displays on the history of the lead mines, with objects found during the excavation of the site.
• Restored beam engine house – The Meadows engine house, rebuilt with replica machinery, stands among the remains of the lead processing areas.

Operated by

Wrexham County Borough Council, with Groundwork North Wales

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The community hub has fully accessible toilets. Further access details are available from Groundwork North Wales.

Kids & families

Groundwork North Wales runs children's activities during the summer holidays. The visitor centre has interactive displays.

Getting there & parking

The park is reached from the A483 (signposted Clywedog) or the A525 (signposted Minera Lead Mines), next to the villages of New Brighton and Minera. Horse riders and cyclists can use the path along the old railway line.

Amenities & dining

Picnic areas with views over the valley. Toilets are in the community hub.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit