Alderley Edge Mines - Cheshire
Alderley Edge is one of a handful of prehistoric mining sites in Britain. It is the oldest known metal-mining site in England, with activity dating back as early as 1900 BC. Copper mining took place here during the Bronze Age and Roman times. This was confirmed when a piece of timber, discovered at the bottom of a Roman-dug shaft alongside a pot of Roman-era coins, was carbon-dated. Historical records also show that mining continued here from the 1690s up until the 1920s.
The Edge is dotted with mines connected by miles of underground passages, the largest of which is 'West Mine,' containing over 10 kilometers of passageways. Since their abandonment, the mines have witnessed six recorded fatalities, including that of Alexander Rea on September 12, 1909. Rea was exploring the mines with others when he suddenly disappeared. His body was later found deceased at the bottom of a 90-ft shaft.
Another tragic incident involved a scout group. Before the introduction of back-marking protocols for group exploration, two young scouts wandered away from their group and decided to go swimming in one of the underground pools. Unbeknownst to them, the pool concealed a deep shaft beneath the surface. Tragically, one of the boys slipped down the shaft and was unable to escape. His body was later recovered by one of the leaders, who free-dived to retrieve him.
Today, the National Trust owns the mines and collaborates with the Derbyshire Caving Club (DCC) to maintain the site. The DCC regularly hosts open days, giving members of the public the opportunity to experience the rich industrial heritage hidden beneath the Edge. Over the years, the DCC has made several fascinating discoveries, the most recent being a lost cobalt mine containing a 'time capsule' of personal objects and equipment left behind by the workers.
On this trip, we were joined by our friend Dave, who gave us the infamous 'Boat Trip.' This journey took us from Engine Vein, across a flooded passage, and into Brynlow Mine, eventually surfacing many hours later at Wood Mine.
Thanks to Dave and the DCC for allowing us access to this incredible site. I've been fascinated by the history and folklore of the Edge since I was young, so it's always a pleasure to witness it firsthand.
