Killhope Lead Mining Centre

Lead has been extracted from Weardale since Roman times. In the upper reaches of Weardale, the Killhope Lead Mining Centre with its water wheel and child friendly exhibits is a wonderful place to visit. In the autumn, there is something special about the site as the smoke from the roaring fire in the "miners shop", curls and drifts low over the cluster of buildings and the hens scratch away looking for food. Inside there are the spar boxes with the gleaming minerals and crytals to see. Guided tours take you underground. Above ground, squirrels and chaffinches and other wildlife can be seen close up. This is my favourite time to see the mine and its buildings and soak up the atmosphere. Each time I go back I see something new. The social history of the area is well recorded with careful reconstructions of rooms of the period.

As opening hours are restricted this time of year, please check its web site and take some food for the chaffinches.