Cliffdale Mine

This is located 1 mile to the east of Priest Weston and is probably what prompted the name of the Old Miner’s Arms pub there. Throughout its life (1859-1927) it had several other names, viz Churchstoke, Western and Weston but Cliffdale is the most common one. The mine produced a large amount of barite and is recorded as selling 35,816 tons between1860-1913.

Weston Shaft (2) is by the roadside and has been filled. Sump Shaft is just to the east but has been filled and ploughed over. Bowers Shaft (3) is filled with rubbish, including a complete car, but the concrete foundations of the winding engine and compressor house can still be seen. Powis Shaft (4) is located by the reservoir and is open but blocked a short way down with domestic rubbish. As a matter of interest, the border passes through the mine and Powis Shaft is actually in Wales. To the west is a collapsed adit (5) below the road with a collapsed adit and shaft above the road. These are believed to be associated with the main workings. To the north-west, at Cwm Dingle Farm, is the entrance to Cliffdale Level (6). This was the drainage level for the mine but it is currently dammed as a domestic water supply.