News

New Trails

Two new trails have been created for those visitors who want to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Nenthead Mines site. The Dowgang Hush Nature Trail allows visitors to explore the woodland area of the site and learn about the various plant and animal species within the Hush. A much more extensive Upper Nent Valley Trail will be opened this Autumn, encouraging visitors to explore the recently restored mine buildings and view newly exposed mine entrances- gaining a greater understanding of the vast workings beneath the Nenthead site.

Smallcleugh Project

This summer has seen the completion of the Smallcleugh project. This project has allowed us to improve access, restore and interpret areas of the upper Nent Valley that have previously been little used by visitors to the Nenthead Heritage Centre complex. Hodgsons High Level Mine Shop has been restored and partly furnished as a Victorian mine and lodging shop. A detailed archaeological survey and record of lost buildings has been undertaken involving students from our archaeological Summer School. Thompson’s level mine entrance has been re-opened and stabilised allowing the Trust to develop underground archaeological techniques with a variety of partners. Extensive work has been done to the spine wall of the smelt mill ensuring its stability and a boardwalk has been erected, allowing visitors to better view of all parts of the smelt mill structure.