weardale

A solo adventure undertaken on Christmas eve, aiming for no security to be onsite, as this is, believe it or not, a fully active site which still deals in train repairs and work. Although the main attraction 'The Shed' has been pretty much left to rot from what I can tell. Quiet difficult to...

While visiting a location close to here. I totally forgot about this place... After finding a way in and exploring the initial shed. A gap in a door was too tempting not to shimmy under. And upon exiting the shed a rabbit hole opened up, please enjoy a selection of pics that I took on my...

History Springing up in high Weardale at the end of the eighteenth century, Grove Rake was initally designated a lead mine, but the veins that the two shafts tapped into proved to be relatively low in yields of lead and relatively high in yields of fluorspar (aka fluorite or CaF2 - calcium...

Had the place pinned for a while and after seeing some drone shots, I had to have a look. You could get in the mine, however I don't have the right equipment, so didnt venture in. However I did brave myself and climbed up the shaft, it was windy and I don't like heights, but I survived...

So this was my first exploration ever...So I decided to go to the mine where it was less likely I would get into trouble. It was a cloudy and muggy day, and started to rain. I also forgot to put on my boots or wellies wish is definitely recommended. The buildings at the mine were really...

So this was my first exploration ever...So I decided to go to the mine where it was less likely I would get into trouble. It was a cloudy and muggy day, and started to rain. I also forgot to put on my boots or wellies wish is definitely recommended. The buildings at the mine were really...

As we were making our way along the road we came across this building. We had no idea what it was so we decided to take a peek. We noticed at the back there was a skip and could see that there had been a bigger building here at one point, however the building that was still standing was quite a...

Hi all, Been out exploring again, so a new video up, and in this one, we are exploring 6 x abandoned lead mines in the Teesdale and Weardale Valleys. Some of these places, we can't even find names for, and some, will be revisited :) Enjoy :) Steve

Was looking on The Northern Echo the other night and seen this article that may bee of interest to those who haven't visited and maybe even those who have if you would like to get a chance to re visit...

This is my first post on a forum of anykind so I hope it is ok. My Brother in Law and I are keen photographers and my main interest is in photographing engineering and old architecture. The Groverake Mine, located between Rookhope and Allenheads, was the last operating commercial fluorspar...

Due to a grim financial situation, my efforts to get much done have been minimal this year, at least thus far. With recently acquired employment, money is no longer an issue and as a result, I consulted Raptor Jesus and we went on a trip up North, with Grove Rake being something of mutual...

A different Weardale fluorspar mine - and what is more it is still in operation. Visit and pics August 2008 but it will not have changed much. Rogerley mine is unique in the UK as it is a commercial operation that mines mineral specimens for the collectors market. It is also the last working...

This mine was in operation untill the 1980s. Lead was origionaly mined then flourospar. The main entrance is completly colappsed acess is by a 120 foot ventilation shaft A complete underground winding system is still in place most of the mine is in good condition ,but a lot of the timber work...

Solo Visit. On my recent ROC trip up north, I remembered this little headstock from a report ages ago by Snappel and a few others. I thought I'd swing by and take a few snaps. It was a gorgeous sunny day, which thankfully made it impossible to take crappy pictures! Anyway, my take on...

This is my first post (i am much better with a welder than a computer) please bear with me. These pictures were taken 5 years ago just as the mine closed Cage jammed at the top of the main shaft The water levell in the incline Looking out of the incline ]