Magpie Mine

Magpie Mine - Peak District visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Magpie Mine' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Derbyshire.

This panorama shows the remains of Magpie Mine, one of the most famous lead mines in the Peak District in England. Official records of the mine date back to 1795, but it is likely that mining activity had been going on here well before that. It is close to other lead mines in the area, which often lead to disputes over claims. Magpie Mine and neighbouring Red Soil Mine who argued over possession of the Bole Vein they were both working. This lead to the death of three Red Soil Mine workers after Magpie Mine miners lit a fire in one of the tunnels.

Today the mine is a tourist attraction and contains some of the best preserved mining buildings in the region. These have been maintained by the Peak District Mines Historical Society since 1962. The mine was last worked in the 1950's for a very short time, but was never profitable after the mid 1800's. One of the largest buildings on the site contained a large Cornish pumping engine to pump water. The mine also contains a sough (drainage tunnel) which was dug from the River Wye to the mine after pumping water became unprofitable. The Magpie Mine sough was built between 1873 and 1881 but never recouped its investment.

Magpie Mine is just south of Sheldon and a short distance west of Bakewell.