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'Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre'
Nenthead, Alston, CA9 3PD. Tel 01434 382037.
Location : Nenthead / Alston
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 781434
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Nenthead, Alston, CA9 3PD. Tel 01434 382037.
Location : Nenthead / Alston
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 781434
The Nenthead Mines site - 200 acres of rugged Pennine landscape at the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is the largest and most important single site associated with the lead mining industry of the North Pennines. The Heritage Centre tells the story of this unique and dramatic site - now a Scheduled Ancient Monument - where history and landscape have been forged together.
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The London Lead Company was formed by Quakers in 1704, and the directors, in common with
other Quaker industrialists, recognised a moral responsibility to their workforce. They
built the first purpose-built industrial village in England and laid the foundations for
today's social welfare system. Complete with free lending libary and compulsory
schooling for all children, the village of Nenthead was born.
Nenthead is less than five miles from Alston - the highest village in England. The Heritage Centre occupies former mine workshops that have been restored by the North Pennines Heritage Trust. Here you can explore the geology and history in the Heritage Centre, and explore the site through self-guided trails. |
| A leaflet describes the history of the site, and describes a 2.5 mile walk around the site,
highlighting places of interest. There are many disused mine shafts
and mine entrances, but these are safely fenced in or gated to stop people entering or falling
into them.
The Carrs mine has been recently restored, and you can now go on an underground tour through an extensive network of tunnels. |
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The 'Power of Water' exhibit.
Aerial photos by Simon Ledingham.
Related Links
| Cumbria Main Menu
| East Cumbria Menu
| Mining Heritage Centres
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Page last changed 19 Feb 2008.
