Nenthead Mines
Historic lead and zinc mining valley in the North Pennines where volunteers lead guided trips into Carrs Mine on bookable open days.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Nenthead lies high in the North Pennines and was one of the main centres of lead and silver mining in Britain. A smelt mill was built here in 1737 and later expanded by the Quaker-owned London Lead Company, which also built housing, a school and baths for the miners' families. The mines closed in 1961.
Today the valley is covered with remains of the lead and zinc industry, including mine entrances, watercourses, dressing floors and buildings, most of it protected as a scheduled ancient monument. It is also known for its geology and for rare lichens and plants that grow on the metal-rich mine spoil.
The Nenthead Mines Conservation Society, an all-volunteer charity, owns most of the historic part of the valley and runs the visitor offer. The valley can be visited all year, but the buildings and Carrs Mine open only on advertised open days, when volunteers take visitors underground to see old mining methods, geology and fluorescent minerals. Geology days and tailor-made group visits are also offered.
Highlights
- Guided trip into Carrs Mine with fluorescent minerals
- Top of the 100-metre-deep Brewery Shaft
- Geology days covering the surface and underground
- Scheduled ancient monument valley with mine buildings and dressing floors
- Rare lichens and plants on the mine spoil
Permanent exhibitions
- Carrs Mine guided trip – A volunteer-led trip underground that shows old mining methods, local history, geology and fluorescent minerals.
- Brewery Shaft – The top of a mine shaft about 100 metres deep, with lights switched on down the shaft and an account of how miners used renewable energy.
- Operated by
- Nenthead Mines Conservation Society
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £15 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £7Children are welcome if they can walk and climb stairs. |
| Groups | –Organised group visit: £200 for up to 10 people, then £15 for each additional person. |
| Families | £402 adults and 2 children |
| Geology Day | £22Per person; advance booking essential; includes a geology guide booklet |
Prices are for Carrs Mine trips on open days; lamps and helmets are provided.
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
Visitors must be able to walk and climb stairs to join the mine trip. Geology days involve rough, uneven ground that is sometimes ankle-deep in water.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £40 · 2 adults and 2 children |
|---|
A reduced child price and a family ticket are offered. Children are welcome if they can walk and climb stairs; babies in arms are not taken underground.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Drive through the first car park and follow the byway up the valley.
Nenthead is reached from Alston on the A689. The satnav postcode for the site entrance road is CA9 3NR; look for the large Nenthead Mines sign.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Carrs Mine trips are led by volunteers and take about 90 minutes. Wear outdoor clothing and footwear: it is about 8 degrees Celsius underground and the mine is usually dry but may be muddy in places. A visit to the top of Brewery Shaft after the trip depends on enough volunteer guides being available. Babies in arms are not taken underground. |
