Coniston Copper Mines
Coppermines Valley is a beautiful place whether you are interested in the mining heritage of the area or not. The mine history goes back over 400 years but extraction of copper will go back much further than this, probably to Roman times or even earlier.
Plan Around Coniston Copper Mines
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Coniston Copper Mines Details
Spreading across a spectacular 57 hectare site above Coniston Water and below the famed 803 metres Coniston Old Man mountain, the mines have a long legacy. Copper extraction dates back 400 years and was a firm favourite of Queen Elizabeth. In the 16th century, she introduced German workers and its fortunes flourished. The mineral was important to emerging industries of a growing Empire. It sheathed ships' hulls as they sailed the seven seas, was used in weaponry, for coinage and by the navy. Although there were peaks and troughs in the market, Coniston copper continued to be mined until the 1950s. The most prosperous period was the 1850s and by the 1870s the mine went in decline. For most of the mines history only gunpowder was used, hand drilling, and only tallow candles as light. The country rock is volcanic so progress would have been painfully hard and slow. Getting to the copper veins at depth could only be done by descending wooden ladders and stagings. Some of the workings were over 1100 feet below the surface and around 500ft below sea level. Please Note: No one should enter these mines under any circumstances without an experienced guide and even then your safety cannot be guaranteed. There are many unstable areas and a large number of rotten false floors over large voids. You have been warned! Exploring the mines cannot be recommended but there is a much safer way to see what it is like by visiting the Ruskin Museum in Coniston. Grid Reference: SD 28363 98602 Address (near): above Coniston LA21 8HP, UK
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Nearby Parks Around Coniston Copper Mines
Compare nearby parks around Coniston Copper Mines when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Coniston Copper Mines
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Coniston Copper Mines while the map context is still fresh.
0.8 mi away
The Old Man of Coniston
Often referred to as the Coniston Old Man or just "The Old Man," this 2,634-foot (803 meter) fell stands just west of the village of Coniston and the Coniston Water lake.
1.3 mi away
Ruskin Museum
The Ruskin Museum is an award-winning Cabinet of Curiosities which tells the Story of Coniston.
1.3 mi away
Coniston Copper Mines
Do not attempt to enter without an experienced guide.
1.4 mi away
Campbell's Grave
You can't visit Coniston without walking over to the cemetery to see world speed record holder Donald Campbell's grave.
1.8 mi away
Coniston Water
Coniston Water, in the southern part of the park, is the third largest lake in the Lake District.
