Force Crag Mine Open Day for GeoWeek
A rusty ‘tin shed’ beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity’s impact on the planet.
- Booking not needed
Force Cragg Mine was the last working metal-ore mine in the Lake District, closing in 1991, it’s now an Ancient Scheduled Monument and a Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. The underground tunnels have collapsed, and this is a rare opportunity to go round the processing mill to see how the rock ore brought out of the mine was turned into the finished product. Force Crag Mine's processing mill holds the most complete assemblage of metal ore mining machinery preserved in-situ anywhere in England.
No need to book: Make your own way on foot or by bicycle and drop in to the mill any time between 10am and 2:30pm. You’ll be able to join the next tour on which there is space. Tours run approximately every 20 minutes.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| All | £5.00 |
The basics
- Suitability
Suitable for ages 12+
- Meeting point
"Force Crag Mine, Coledale, Braithwaite, Keswick What3Words///admire.amounting.martini"
- What to bring and wear
Please bring cash - there's no signal for card payments. Please dress for the weather forecast and remember it's often colder and more exposed at Force Crag than it is in Keswick.
- Accessibility
The processing mill is at the end of a 2 mile unsurfaced track in Coledale, accessible only on foot or by bicycle. There is no heating or lighting. A steep hill must be climbed on gravel paths to access the building. In an effort to make this event more inclusive, we are offering transportation from the parking lot to the mill so please book via the second event page if you require transport.
- Other
No refreshments available on site - a shop, cafe and pubs available in Braithwaite village. You will not go underground - the tunnels have collapsed. When you arrive at the processing mill you may have a waiting time of up to 20 minutes before the next tour starts. This event will go ahead if it is raining. There is no parking at the mine - nearest parking is at Braithwaite village school, (£5), CA12 5TD
Upcoming events
Force Crag Mine Open Day for GeoWeek (including transport)
Brought to you by the National Trust for GeoWeek. Come and join us for the rare opportunity to explore the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Paddleboard taster sessions
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake and maybe try something new.
Open Day at Force Crag Mine for the Festival of Archaeology (including transport)
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.
Open Day at Force Crag Mine for the Festival of Archaeology
Brought to you by National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for the rare opportunity to explore the processing mill at Force Crag Mine.