Museums and Galleries

Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre

Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3PD

Tel: 01434 382037

e-mail: administration.office@virgin.net

website: www.npht.com

The 200-acre centre at Nenthead, in the North Pennines, is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers a unique insight into the lives of the miners who transformed these fells. Visitors have the chance to experience the underground world through guided trips in Carr's Mine, last commercially worked for lead in 1920.

There is the huge "Power of Water" interactive area, where visitors can open sluice gates to operate water wheels and drive machinery. Brewery Shaft is an impressive 328 feet deep, with a viewing platform for visitors to gaze down into the depths and be amazed at the courage of anyone daring to descend. Around the centre are various restored buildings, which contain exhibitions and interactive displays about the geology of the area, the local wildlife and social history of the area.

The site includes woodland walks, mountain streams and a waterfall, whilst the surrounding area is ideal for walkers of all ages and gives access to the spectacular scenery of the North Pennines. There is a café where people can rest their legs and take refreshments, and a well-stocked shop where they can purchase postcards, books and gifts.

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