Killhope Lead Mining Museum — Attraction in England

This is a very good museum attraction situated in the heart of Weardale detailing the history of Lead Mining. There is an informative exhibition at the site detailing how lead mining started and who founded it along with how it was mined and what life was like for the miners. In the exhibition there are some excellent and exquisite examples of quartz and other rock material that have been extracted locally and there are some spar boxes to look at which are quite awe inspiring. There is an exhibition on the Weardale Tub and how funding obtained to get it built and onto the site. There is a building next to the entrance to the mine showcasing all the miner's tools used to extract the lead out of the mine and some beds to show you the cramped and disease conditions they lived in. There are tours of the underground mine which take place at intervals and there is wheel underground which took away the water from the mine and also an exhibition to show the true conditions in the mine. The guide on the tour will tell you the history of mining at the site and how the miners acquired lead from the mine. There is some exciting panning exercises for the children at the site and a waterwheel to see and there is a walk around the wooded area where you can see red squirrels however this is closed due to storm damage. The staff are extremely and helpful making the experience even better and the site is free admission and the prices for food in the cafe are extremely reasonable along with prices in the Gift Shop. Overall a picturesque, interesting and enjoyable attraction to visit in the middle of Weardale and definitely would...

Killhope (pronounced Kill-up) is an absolutely fantastic day out. There are various things to do here, including an indoor exhibition, a mine tour, outdoor play areas and various bits of working machinery to see, as well as a nature area. Our mine tour guide, Julie was friendly and knowledgeable. Wellies and warm socks are available for the mine tour, which are really necessary because you're often walking through a couple of inches of water. Also, the air can feel very close, almost suffocating when you're down there. I've been in other caves and mines and been fine; for some reason I wasn't such a fan of being inside this one! I did stick it out though. The information in the exhibition is really great, and many jargon words you'll hear (e.g. Galena) are explained in the museum if you don't feel like asking. One of the real highlights for me was the opportunity to see red squirrels up close - we saw 5 or 6 entertaining us for the best part of 30 mins. As far as a wet weather activity goes, it's not perfect; bits are outside and you have to walk between places, but some areas are inside. As a general activity, it's excellent. Informative, good value (tickets are valid for a year), and well presented....

This visit was entirely a surprise, we saw the sign for coffee and the mine landscape looked interesting. There's a little water ford on entry, then a huge carpark. I've given this visit 5 stars .. but we didn't go on the mine tour, so I can't comment on that. The museum though is free, its very interesting, there's a good hour to be had here, and if you get the chance to talk with the excellent museum guides ... you're hooked. There's a little video explanation of lead mines. Allotments, lead washing area and a semi-cottage decked out with a smithy, stables, office and bunks. The cafe is lovely and well priced, there's lots of picnic tables, a little gift shop, and play areas. The tour of the mine is timed entry and you must bring your own wellies. On entry to the mine there is glowing water, be in only a couple of inches deep it would be safe to attempt with suitable water proof footwear. Well worth a visit. Very interesting historically, there's posters up for day blacksmith courses at £85 ... sounds like a...