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OS Grid ref: NY 30429 37372
Lat/Long: 54.726502, -03.081757
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I returned to Fell Side after my last walk here on Wed 6th Oct
2021. The parking area was empty. The sky was overcast and rain
due around midday. I set off south along the mine access track
but instead of crossing the river at the footbridge I stayed on
the east side of Dale Beck to follow a narrow and indistinct
path on the valley side. The old mine spoil heaps of Roughton
Gill came into view as I traversed below Peteraw. I was soon
heading east and steadily up the valley towards Hare Stones. |
Towards Roughton Gill. |
Dale Beck. |
Old buildings below Roughton Gill. |
Fellside to the west of Dale Beck. |
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At first the route was a faint vehicle track then a faint path.
Off to my right I could see a spoil heap for an old mine so I
walked over for a look. I crossed open ground to regain my
planned route then up to the spoil heaps of the China Clay mine
I visited 2 weeks ago. I didn't know what they were at the time
and assumed they were lead mines. |
Lead Mine spoil heap above Roughton Gill. |
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The collapsed mine entrance and spoil heaps look like any other
mine but the map calls it a China Clay Mine. The records call it
the Hare Stones Umber Mine and originally iron and manganese
oxide were mined here to use as a colouring pigment. In 1883 it
was used for mining China Clay or Kaolin, an ingredient in the
manufacture of china and porcelain. About 1885 the Cleator Iron
Ore Company acquired the mine, and extracted more Umber until
1894-5 when the mine closed. |
Collapsed entrance to the Umber / china Clay Mine. |
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The views across the Solway Firth were very impressive but hazy.
I continued up over the rocky area called Hare Stones and met
the track that is the Cumbria Way. I also met the first walkers
of the day. I headed north along the track between High Pike &
Red Covercloth. It was a steady and easy descent down to the
next track which heads west. Through the old mine workings &
debris I carried on then turned right down a grassy path then a
track back to Fell Side. It was dry when I got back but it
wasn't long before the rain started. |
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