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Snailbeach Lead Mine Heritage
Open Weekend Saturday
19th & Sunday 20th September 2009 |
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Over a weekend in September every year, there is a
Heritage Weekend all over Europe where sites of historical interest which are
not normally open to the public are made so. For details of the national
scheme and what is happening elsewhere visit the National Heritage Days Website The Shropshire Mines Trust and the Shropshire Caving
& Mining Club will not be opening Snailbeach Lead Mine on those dates but
over the following weekend on 19-20th September 2009 (see below
for details of activities). The reason for this is because we also want to
see other sites open on that weekend and haven’t had the chance for several
years ! |
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Location The mine is located
in the village of Snailbeach near Minsterley, Shropshire. From
the North - head for the A5
Shrewsbury bypass from either east or west and turn down the A488 south
signposted for Bishops Castle. Follow the A488 through Hanwood and Pontesbury.
At Minsterley turn left at the roundabout along the A488 and after 2 miles
look for a bus shelter on the right. Turn left just after this along a minor
road signposted to Snailbeach. Follow this up the hill and, where the road
flattens and turns right, look for the Village Hall on the right hand side. From
the South - head for Bishops
Castle and take the A488 north signposted for Shrewsbury. Follow the A488
until you go down a steep wooded hill. A mile after this look for a bus
shelter on the left. Turn right just before this along a minor road
signposted to Snailbeach. Follow this up the hill and, where the road
flattens and turns right, look for the Village Hall on the right hand side. |
click on map to get larger version
There is ample free
parking so please ensure that you park behind the Village Hall, either on the
car park or the grass field below. Do NOT drive up the small road to
Lordshill or park on the roads |
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Opening Times Activities will
take place from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Please note, however, that you may not be
able to join an underground trip if you turn up after 3.30pm. If you turn up in
the morning then you can be sure of participating in everything. When you have parked, walk up the hill signposted to Lordshill and
follow the signs. |
Costs In keeping with the
spirit of Heritage Day, there is no charge for access to the buildings or underground
tours of the mine. However, we ask
visitors who wish to go underground to make a donation to our Preservation
Fund so we can continue to carry out preservation work and buy more mining
artifacts and machinery. |
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Surface Buildings Snailbeach Mine has
the best set of surface lead mine buildings in the country and you can
explore these throughout the day. It takes about 1
hour to go round on the surface and you should note that only part is
accessible to disabled persons due to either rough ground or steep climbs. In
addition, part of the route climbs a steep hill so you must be reasonably
fit. Disabled persons will be allowed
to park near the buildings – ask one of the helpers. The following are
the main buildings :- a) Locomotive Shed This used to house
steam locomotives which operated the light railway to Minsterley, taking away
lead ore and bringing back coal for the boilers. It now contains a number of
artifacts found on site and there are future plans to install displays of
mining techniques. b) Blacksmiths Shop This used to
produce all the metalwork for the mine and sharpened the miners' tools. It
has been recently refurbished and the forge will be operating during the day.
The resident blacksmith will show how it worked and will be making items out
of iron. You will also be able to see lead being melted and poured into
moulds to make small ingots. c) Visitor Centre This used to be the
Miners Dry (where they dried their working clothes). You will be able to see
displays and watch a video about the mine. Adjacent to this is the
reconstructed wooden headgear and winding wheel on George's Shaft. There will be
volunteers in each of the buildings to show you around and answer questions.
You can buy a self-guided surface tour leaflet to see the rest of the site. |
Underground Mine Tours If you wish to
participate, we would ask you to make a donation towards our Preservation
Fund which finances the cost of looking after the site and preserving mining
machinery. You have the choice of two options but you should go to Day Level
first in case there is congestion at the other entrance. a)
Underground Taster (allow 20 minutes underground) Visitors will be
taken into Day Level, which was a 19th century access tunnel driven to meet
Lordshill Shaft. Lead ore was wound up the shaft to this level and pushed out
to the adjacent crushing machinery. Rails have being re-laid in this level
and visitors will be pushed in most of the way on a truck with seats. The level will be
lit along its length with hurricane lamps but you may wish to bring your own
torch for extra lighting. A few torches will be available on the day. Helmets will be provided at the entrance.
It is on the level and is upright walking apart from a short section (but you
will be pushed along this bit). Remember, however, that it is not a Show Mine
so don't expect concrete floors and be prepared to get dirty shoes. You
should also wear warm clothes as it will be cool underground. At the end is
the shaft and it is covered by a grille so you can look down into its dark
depths! There will be displays of mining equipment and a guide will
tell you about working methods. b)
Longer Tour (allow 40 minutes underground) Visitors will be
taken into Perkins Level, which was a 20th century access tunnel driven to
meet several chambers where barite was mined. It also connected with workings
deep in the mine. There is the chance to see a big barite vein as well as
traces of galena (lead ore) in the rock. There is usually ankle deep water at
the entrance so wellies are advisable or bring spare shoes. Helmets will be
provided but this mine is not lit so it is essential that you have your own
light. A few headlights and
pairs of wellies will be available on the day. Virtual Tour of Day Level &
Perkins Level REMEMBER We
provide - helmet You
bring - wellies, torch, old clothes |
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Disabled Access There are parts of the site that would be very
difficult for a disabled person to access due to steep slopes and uneven
ground. However, the buildings are all
accessible and It may be possible to arrange access to Day Level for disabled
persons – ask a helper. There is
limited parking for disabled persons’ cars at the mine. Refreshments We are sorry but we will not be providing
refreshments. If you wish for a cooked
meal then the Stiperstones Inn nearby will cater for your needs (children
welcome). |
Tankerville Mine This is another lead
mine, a few miles to the south, which is owned by the Trust. It has
an almost complete engine house and chimney, as well as other features, which
have been recently preserved. You are
welcome to visit it during the day and, if you are part of a large group, ask
a helper to see if we can provide a guide. |
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Staying in the area If you wish to stay over in the area we recommend the |
Further information If you wish to enquire further about any of the
activities:- Adrian Pearce T. 01952-405369 |
Last
revised: 19 April 2009