Honister opens up underground tunnel to public

A section of underground tunnel not seen since the 1970s will be officially opened up to the public in October, as part of Honister Slate Mine’s newly extended guided tours.

The underground attraction, located near Keswick in Cumbria, is famed as England’s last working slate mine.

Groups visiting will have the chance to explore some of the maze of underground tunnels which wind their way through the 900 year old mine.

Group-friendly daily guided tours already take in an array of narrow passages and cathedral-like caverns, and now visitors will be able to explore a new section of this archaeological time capsule and go even deeper into the original mine.

This so-called ‘black area’ would have been used by miners in days gone by, but has never been explored by members of the public before.

The newly-revealed section of mine workings will become an official part of the 90 minute Kimberley Mine Tours from Saturday 22nd October.

Further highlights on this particular tour include being shown how miners used to blast and extract rock from the cavern, and old drilling techniques.

Honister tour guide Roland Thomson said: “The history and heritage of England’s last surviving slate mine is immense, and opening up the mine even further will give visitors a unique insight into an underground world that has been hidden from public view for centuries.

“This extended tour definitely has the ‘wow’ factor and I can’t wait to see people’s reactions as they step ever deeper into this mighty Lake District mountain.”

Tour information

Mine tours run three times daily throughout October and November (and once a day in December and January).

Tours take around 90 minutes, and safety helmets and lamps are provided. Pre-booked groups are welcome.

For further information visit www.honister.com/mine-tours.