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The track up to Force Crag, Coledale - Cumbria

(3 x PiPs)

Coledale is a narrow U-shaped valley running approximately north-east towards the Derwent Valley floodplain and the village of Braithwaite at the northeastern end. The valley river Coledale Beck feeds into Newlands Beck and is fed by small streams from the valley sides and head, including Birkthwaite Beck, and Pudding Force.

At the head of the valley a large rock formation is found named Force Crag, which forms a waterfall 'Low Force' as Pudding Beck passes over it.

Force Crag Mine was the last working metal mine in the Lake District, prior to its final abandonment in 1991. The site was mined for lead from 1839 until 1865, and for zinc and barytes from 1867. The job of the mill was to separate these minerals from each other, and from any other minerals and the country rock. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and a geological SSSI (site of special scientific interest). The mine occupies a spectacular location at the head of the remote Coledale Valley, 7 km west of Keswick above Braithwaite.


Old Force Crag Mine Buildings(2), May 2011

The mill buildings that you can see today were built in 1908-9 and redesigned in 1939-40. The mill contains the ore-refining machinery that was in use during the 1980s until it closed, along with some earlier equipment. It is the only former mineral mining site in the country that has retained its processing equipment in something approaching complete order.

A mill has been on site at the mine since 1840, moving in 1908 to its present location at a height of 900ft.. Over the years the mill has been rebuilt and the machinery renovated and renewed. What remains today dates from its last occupation by the New Coledale Mining Company, whose main target was zinc.



Old Crag force Mine Buildings, May 2011

Over the years 60,000 tons of barytes, 1248 tons of zinc, and 624 tons of lead (containing many ounces of silver) have been extracted from the mine. The job of the mill was to separate these minerals from each other, and from any other minerals and the country rock. Although the mill was built into the hillside so that gravity could help with movement of ore through the various processes, in reality it was moved up, down and around as required in order to achieve the end result desired in the space available.
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17 comments

Annemarie said:

wonderful perspective.makes me wish to walk there!
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Annemarie:

Many thanks for your visit and kind comment Annemarie.

Best regards, Doug
4 years ago

©UdoSm said:

Impressive images and an interesting story ...
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to ©UdoSm:

Thanks so much Udo, glad that you like it.

Best wishes, Doug
4 years ago

Colin Ashcroft said:

this made me get the map and study the details - Thanks for a fascinating background story.
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Colin Ashcroft:

Many thanks for your visit Colin, glad you found it of interest.

All the best, Doug
4 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

The main picture is so beautiful Doug. I love all the colours in the landscape.
I also like the the other two pictures. It is important to see and read the industrial history of an area. Thank you for the information.

Best wishes, Rosa.
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Rosalyn Hilborne:

Thanks so much for your visit and kind comments Rosa. The area has had many mines over the years, not all as obvious as this one.

All the best, Doug
4 years ago

tiabunna said:

A beautiful panoramic image of this landscape. A great set and interesting background information, Doug.
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to tiabunna:

Your visit and kind words are much appreciated tiabunna.

Best regards, Doug
4 years ago

Jaap van 't Veen said:

Beautiful images Doug.
Thank you for the narrative.
4 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Jaap van 't Veen:

Many thanks for your visit and kind comment Jaap.

Best regards, Doug
4 years ago

Ronald Losure said:

Very interesting historical description.
4 years ago ( translate )

Jocelyne Villoing said:

De beaux clichés et des informations intéressantes sur ce lieu jadis en activité , merci Doug.
4 years ago ( translate )

Boarischa Krautmo said:

beautiful set of pictures!
4 years ago ( translate )