History
None I can find on the actual mine itself, but its late and my google fu is weak... but, here's a general history of mining in the area.
The ore deposits were exploited by the Romans, and supplied local ironworkers by the later 11th century. Ore was extracted from the limestone outcrops by surface workings, known locally as scowles. From the late 16th century Forest ore and cinders supplied blast furnaces into Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. In the 18th century furnaces near the Forest depended increasingly on ore from Lancashire and regular ore mining in the Dean ceased. It was briefly revived in the mid 19th century to supply local ironworks. But water was a constant problem and accessible deposits of ore were mostly exhausted by the early 20th century. A few ore mines were reopened during the First World War but ore mining finally ended soon after the Second World War.
The Visit
GSS club trip to a rather small but very pretty iron mine, not many big chambers; well, none at all actually but some really photogenic tunnels and a small 'lake' if you want to use hyperbole...
The Pics
Couple of duplicates but I thought the different lighting effects was good enough to include them.
Thanks for looking
None I can find on the actual mine itself, but its late and my google fu is weak... but, here's a general history of mining in the area.
The ore deposits were exploited by the Romans, and supplied local ironworkers by the later 11th century. Ore was extracted from the limestone outcrops by surface workings, known locally as scowles. From the late 16th century Forest ore and cinders supplied blast furnaces into Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. In the 18th century furnaces near the Forest depended increasingly on ore from Lancashire and regular ore mining in the Dean ceased. It was briefly revived in the mid 19th century to supply local ironworks. But water was a constant problem and accessible deposits of ore were mostly exhausted by the early 20th century. A few ore mines were reopened during the First World War but ore mining finally ended soon after the Second World War.
The Visit
GSS club trip to a rather small but very pretty iron mine, not many big chambers; well, none at all actually but some really photogenic tunnels and a small 'lake' if you want to use hyperbole...
The Pics
Couple of duplicates but I thought the different lighting effects was good enough to include them.
Thanks for looking
