I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Andy, one of the volunteers keeping Magpie Mill beautiful and safe. He was busy giving up his time to fix a grill on one of the mine-shafts that had been vandalised but was still more than happy to give up even more of his time to explain the fascinating history behind the best surviving example of a 19th-century lead mine in Derbyshire to me.

The most impressive feature is the ruined Cornish Engine House which dates from 1869 and the adjacent circular chimney.

The last working lead mine in the Derbyshire orefield and is probably the best surviving example anywhere in the UK of a 19th-century lead mine. The mine has a fascinating history spanning more than 200 years of bonanzas and failures, of bitter disputes and fights resulting in the “murder” of three miners, and a Widows’ Curse that is said to remain to this day.

HTTPS://PDMHS.CO.UK/MAGPIE-MINE-PEAK-DISTRICT/

There’s a fantastic overview of the history of the mine and how to access it on the Peak District Mines Historical Society website:
https://pdmhs.co.uk/magpie-mine-peak-district/

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the maintenance of Magpie Mine, check out this link:
https://pdmhs.co.uk/volunteering/

If you can make a financial donation please do so here:
https://pdmhs.co.uk/donations/

Help support this stunning heritage site while getting a beautiful print for your home! 10% of sales of these images will be donated to the Peak District Historical Mining Society.

Drones are generally not welcome at Magpie Mine. The society does such a wonderful job preserving a peaceful site for the enjoyment of everyone and drones (especially with disrespectful operators) do disturb that. If you want to fly a drone at this site, please do so in the correct manner and speak to the Peak District Mines Historical Society and local farmers in advance.