Honister Slate Mine
Perched at 350 metres on the dramatic Honister Pass at the head of Borrowdale, England's last working slate mine is equal parts industrial heritage, adrenaline venue and mountain spectacle. Whether you descend into the caverns on a guided tour or clip onto the Via Ferrata above the valley, this is one of the most distinctive half-days in the entire Lake District.
Underground — 300 Years of Green Slate
Guided mine tours run several times daily and lead you deep into Fleetwith Pike, through underground tunnels and caverns carved by generations of Cumbrian miners. You'll learn how Westmorland Green Slate — a distinctive rock formed some 400 million years before the first dinosaurs — is still extracted today using a blend of traditional and modern techniques. The same slate was used by Christopher Wren at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.
Tours last around 90 minutes and are genuinely suitable for all ages and all weathers — a rare and valuable quality in the Lake District. Afterwards, the slate gift shop is worth a browse for beautifully crafted pieces made from the very stone you've just walked through.
Above Ground — Via Ferrata & the Infinity Bridge
For those who want altitude with their history, Honister offers England's original Via Ferrata — a clipped climbing route along Honister Crag following the original miners' path to the mountain top, with Buttermere spread out below. The Infinity Bridge suspends you 1,000 feet above the Borrowdale Valley on a crossing that is as terrifying as it sounds.
The Sky High Café at the top of the pass is a welcome reward after any adventure, with views back down the valley that justify the drive alone. The Stagecoach Honister Rambler bus serves the mine from Keswick, making it accessible without a car.
Honister Slate Mine on video
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