Here are some pictures from our recent explore of the Derwent lead smelt mills, dating back to the early 1800s. It is believed there were 2 x separate mills in the lower part of the valley that we explored. Athough little remains on the surface, there are some interesting remains including the furnace, a waterwheel pit and the surface flues. Underground, we explore the remains of the tailrace and the flues in the lower part of the valley. We also explain how children were employed at the site and how their labours caused them extreme suffering and early death. A video of the explore is available on the UKAbandonedMineExplores YouTube channel.
