Magpie Mine, Sheldon, Derbyshire, November 2012

It's been done before on here but not for a while. We went on a very cold day with the wind chill close to zero degrees. A nice little explore this one. Easily accessable but semi-derelict.

Lead mining first started at Magpie mine about 250 years ago. A number of buildings are still in tact. The winding gear and engine at the site today date back to the 1950s. The mine was prone to flooding and the big building at the site is a Cornish Beam Engine that was built in 1840 to drain the mine. The wooden structure set away from the main mine buildings was a horse-drawn gin which was used to draw lead ore to the surface.The main shaft is over 200m deep.

On with the pictures...

First negotiate the locals...


img5675_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

It's a long way down there...


img5674_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Two chimneys and a Cornish Beam Engine in the middle.


img5672_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The horse Gin used to raise the lead ore to the surface.


img5669bw_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

A full frontal of the Cornish Beam Engine and chimney.


img5665_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr


img5660_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Close-up of the winding gear...


img5657_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr


img5653_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Building with cylindrical winding drum.


img5652_1 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Not too sure what this roofless round little building was used for.


img5663 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Really liked this photo, love the colour of the stone used in these buildings.
How were the locals?

liking this lots

MrDan said:

Really liked this photo, love the colour of the stone used in these buildings.
How were the locals?

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Why thank you Mr Dan. Pleased to report that the Locals were very friendly. There's a really top pub near by in Sheldon where we sampled the local ale and pies. Very agreeable to the palate.

that's a goodun mate.I like the horse gin especially,there ain't many of them left.The circular building is the powder house,used for storing gunpowder

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2853700

That's bang on the money mate, and certainly on the list. Morning explore and pub lunch, sounds good to me. What's the pub called bud?

Silent Hill said:

That's bang on the money mate, and certainly on the list. Morning explore and pub lunch, sounds good to me. What's the pub called bud?

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It's the Cock and Pullet mate. Right proper pub, just like how they should be

oldscrote said:

that's a goodun mate.I like the horse gin especially,there ain't many of them left.The circular building is the powder house,used for storing gunpowder

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2853700

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Cheers Oldscrote. Mate, I bow to your knowledge!

HughieD said:

It's the Cock and Pullet mate. Right proper pub, just like how they should be

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Found it mate cheers. Looks good. Shame they don't do B&B I'm looking forward to what should be a great day out, and thanks for posting it up

Very nice, I like this!

Silent Hill said:

Found it mate cheers. Looks good. Shame they don't do B&B I'm looking forward to what should be a great day out, and thanks for posting it up

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My pleasure mate. Yup, that's the baby. Just like going back in time in that pub. Also close by is Monsal Head and Litton mill. Both worth a look too.

Cracking photos,thanks for sharing.

The Slough is accessible and takes you into the workings

nice find thanks for posting

PaulPowers said:

The Slough is accessible and takes you into the workings

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Having seen the amount of water exiting the SOUGH ...I hope you have your 25m breast stroke lol .

Cracking piccies AND one of my fave places ...

I've been part way in with chesties, it's doable

Well it was in summer

Very nice report and a great part of the country too!!