Killhope Lead Mining Museum
Killhope Wheel taken in the late 70’s, before the buildings were fully restored and re-opened as a museum; the place was totally derelict then. Note the absence of the water chute which originally fed the wheel, now restored. Copyright © Nick Barker and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Work on Park Level Mine first began in 1853, when the WB Lead Company began to dig an adit or horse level.
Progress was slow with the first 500 metres taking five years to dig. Very little ore was found in the first four veins, but after 20 years a rich ore body was cut which provided work for over 100 miners.
At its peak it was one of the richest lead mines in the whole of Great Britain.
Park Level Mine was reopened to the public in 1996.
The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Near Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Co. Durham, DL13 1AR, 01388 537 505
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