Heritage Open Day at Magpie Mine

About

An opportunity to learn more about this historic Derbyshire lead mine.

The surface remains of the Magpie Mine near Sheldon in Derbyshire are the best example in Britain of an 18th and 19th century lead mine. It is one of the most iconic mining sites in the country, and was the last working lead mine in the Peak District, finally closing in 1958. Now a Scheduled Monument, the site is preserved by the Peak District Mines Historical Society.
Guided tours of the mine surface will be available so that visitors can walk around the site, listen to the history of this piece of mining heritage, look down the 729ft-deep main shaft, and learn about the years of boom and bust, the success and failure of successive operators, the alleged murder of three miners, and the Widow's Curse that is said to continue to this day.

Tours will start on the hour, every hour, from 1100 to 1600, (more frequently if required.)

NOTE: there will be no access to any of the underground workings.

Please park at the side of the Bakewell to Flagg road which passes to the south of the site, not in Sheldon village. There is a walk of about a quarter of a mile along the rough track to the mine. Sturdy footwear is advised because parts of the site are quite rough. Since it is quite exposed at over 1000ft above sea level on the limestone plateau, the weather can be inclement, so a windproof and waterproof jacket is advisable.