Heritage Open Day at Ecton Copper Mines (Underground Visit)

About

A rare chance to visit the working of the Deep Ecton Copper Mine in the Staffordshire Moorlands. You will be led underground to see the 18th century mine workings and learn about what was once the biggest, richest and deepest copper mines in the UK.

The mine was worked in the 1700s and 1800s, for over 60 years by the Dukes of Devonshire. It produced large amounts of copper and provided Devonshire with large profits for many years, which are likely to have contributed to their developments in Buxton and improvements at Chatsworth House. You will be led through the Deep Ecton Level a distance of about 500 metres that was started in 1724 to drain the mine workings that descend from the top of Ecton Hill to see where the copper ore was worked in the large pipe vein and learn how it was mined. You will also visit the large underground chambers, situated at a depth of about 120 metres (400 feet) below the top of the hill, that was excavated to enable the mine to be worked deep below river level. The chambers housed a water balance engine, replaced later by a 30 foot diameter water wheel, used to work pumps that drained the mine workings and a capstan for raising and lowering heavy equipment in the mine. Adjacent to the chambers is the winding shaft, originally equipped with horse gins for winding the ore out of the mine, but these were replaced in 1788 by one of the first steam winding engines, this one built by Boulton and Watt in Birmingham. These workings eventually reached a depth of about 300 metres (1000 feet) below river level though these workings are now flooded but have recently been partially explored by submersibles.

Max 12 people per tour/session. Tour duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear is essential: The temperature underground is usually about 8°c regardless of outdoor conditions. Some standing water may be encountered, this can be up to 6 inches (150mm) deep, but typically is 1 inch (25mm) deep, so wellington boots are required. Your name and address will be passed to the British Caving Association for insurance purposes. Already BCA insured? - just let us know. Contact for the day: Martin Long