Ashgill Force, Garrigill & Smallclough Mine, Nenthead. Cumbria 21st August 2012

One of many waterfalls in Ashgill Gorge, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

We awoke to a beautiful morning in Garrigill. It was early around 7am and we ate breakfast whilst packing the tent away. After a quick double check to make sure we had left nothing behind we drove into Garrigill Village 745 416 to use the facilities at the Village Hall.

Ashgill Gorge, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

On my way out of the Village Hall I stopped to look at the notice board. Now I must confess I never knew you could camp behind the Village Hall and that the hall facilities are unlocked 24 hours a day.

Ashgill Force, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

All you need to do is pitch your tent and leave a donation of £5 a night at the George & Dragon pub. I'll certainly be making good use of this in the future.

The view from behind Ashgill Force, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Returning to the car I picked up Vicks and we headed off for an early morning wander up to Ashgill Gorge. From Garrigill village walk south along the Pennine Way cross the Windshaw Bridge (749 409) and continue on the Pennine Way.

Ashgill Gorge, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

At the confluence (754 403) for the South Tyne and Ashgill turn left. Walk straight ahead ignoring the way marks for the Pennine Way and Ashgill Force (794 405) will soon come into view.

Vicks in the Secret Cave, Ashgill Gorge. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Its a beautiful area especially at this time of year. The local outdoor centre, runs a gorge walk here which is great fun. Contact Alston Adventure Centre and I'm sure the centre manager could arrange an outing to suit all abilities.

Nenthead Mines Visitor Centre, Nenthead. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

We returned to the car and I suggested to Vicks rather than head back to Peel Crag or Crag Lough that we try something different. She agreed and we drove up the hill to Alston Adventure Centre (725 435) to make some enquiries.

A replica of the old water wheels at Nenthead Mines, Nenthead. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

There was nobody around and Vicks was starting to question what I had in mind. "It's a secret" I responded, "Come on lets go to the Nenthead Visitor Centre and see if they can help."

The remains of the old workings at Nenthead Mines, Nenthead. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Arriving in Nenthead (784 437) we pulled into the car park at the Nenthead Mines Visitor Centre (783 434). At 1st I thought it was closed due to it being early morning. Reading the notice board this is not the case, it has gone into receivership which is a real shame.

The entrance to Smallclough Mine, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

There has quite clearly been a lot of work done in the area to maintain it. Vicks asked, "Why are we here?" "We're going Wombling!" "What?" "Underground!" I responded. "So why did we call in at the outdoor centre?" Vicks asked.

Vicks after crawling through "The wriggle". Smallclough Level. Nenthead Mines, Nenthead. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

"I was hoping to speak with the centre manager and make sure access was ok" "So what now?" "We change into our old stuff."

Wheel Flats, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

We changed into our old walking clothes, put on our walking boots and waterproof jackets. Into a rucksack went a 1st aid kit, lots of spare batteries and spare head torch, munchies and water. I passed Vicks her helmet, head torch and I picked up mine and off we went. On the approach to the mine entrance I phoned my mum to let her know where and what we were up to.

The passage to the Ballroom, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Standing in front of the entrance I think Vicks was quite nervous until I rolled up my trouser legs and revealed my spindly shins, much to Vicks amusement! "Why are you rolling up your trouser legs?" Vicks asked. "The walk into the mine is wet, but soon dries." We started to walk in 1st going under the gate and along a wet passage to The Wriggle! It's as slip slidey as a slip slidey thing but once past everything dries and soon you come to the 1st flat. Vicks was covered in mud and laughing. We ate a little and continued our underground adventure.

Some of the graffiti left by the miners, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Exploring disused mines is great fun and absolutely fascinating. The skill and workmanship is incredible, especially as nobody can see it! In this mine the railway lines for the tubs are still intact. Many of the hoppers from the upper levels are still well preserved.

Me fooling around in the Ballroom Flat, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Some of the blast doors are still intact. Even the areas that have been systematically been back filled and then plastered are all still intact. Some of the dry stone archways and passages are amazing, they must have taken a high level of skill to make.

Some modern pit props to prevent further cave ins, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

We continued our exploration to the Ballroom a huge flat way, way underground. Its an amazing place. Looking around we found the visitors register, signed our names and carefully wrapped it back up.

The passage from the Wheel Flats to Smallclough Flats. One of many hoppers that would of been used to fill the train carriages with minerals from the workings above. Nenthead Mines, Nenthead. Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

We noticed candles so proceeded to light them until eventually we lit enough to see the full scale of the Ballroom.  We stopped to look around and tried to decipher some of the graffiti that adorns the walls. Eventually we started to get a little cold and embarked on the return journey back to the surface.

Smallclough Flats, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

Its been a long time since I was last underground and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But be aware not all mines are safe and some are extremely dangerous.

A blast door that would have been used to stop the back draft from blasting operations. Smallclough Flats, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

If you would like further information or are considering visiting any of the mines in the Nenthead area, contact Alston Adventure Centre, the centre manager is very helpful and his staff are excellent.

The whole landscape around Nenthead Mines is spoil heaps left over from the mining era. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)

The sun was shinning and slowly we strolled back to the car. We found our dry clothes and changed, sat in the car park and had lunch. It was still quite early, 4pm so we decided to call back to Crag Lough and sneak a few more climbs in before driving back to Glasgow.

One of many reservoirs in the area that would of been used to supply the water wheels, Nenthead Mines. Nenthead, Cumbria 21/08/2012 (Photo:  A J Thorley)