Museums & Galleries · Northumberland
Nenthead Mines
📍 CA9 3PB
Photo: Andrew Curtis (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Guided underground trips into Carrs Mine lead and zinc mine
- Remains of lead and zinc mining industry across the valley
- Mine entrances, watercourses, dressing-floors and historic buildings to explore
- Rare lichens and plants growing on metal-rich mine dumps
- Site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with geological interest
Nenthead Mines is a historic mining site in a remote Pennine valley near Alston, run by an all-volunteer conservation society. You can explore remains of the lead and zinc mining industry, including mine entrances, watercourses, dressing-floors and buildings, much of it a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The valley is also known for its geology and rare lichens and plants growing on the metal-rich dumps. On Open Days you can join guided trips underground into Carrs Mine. The outdoor site is open all year, though buildings and the mine itself only open on specific Open Days, so it suits those interested in industrial history and geology. If you're staying nearby in Alston Moor, Westmorland and Furness, there are 21 bookable places within 5 miles.
Practical details
- Open
- Site open all year, but buildings and mine only open on Open Days
- Booking
- Book online via the Open Days and GeoDays page or email bookings
- Parking
- Drive through the first car park and follow the byway up the valley
- Best for
- Visitors interested in geology, archaeology and industrial mining history
From the attraction's own website on 20 Oct 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Parking
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near Nenthead Mines
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
1.3 mi
1.3 mi
Bank Cottages - Writers Cottage
Alston, North West England
Sleeps 2
£333 per break
Check availability
1.5 mi
Haggs Bank Bunkhouse and Campsite
✓ Set in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Nentsbury
1.7 mi
2.2 mi
2.4 mi
🎪 What's on near Nenthead Mines
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Nenthead Mines into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
A weekend in Alnwick with the kids →
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🗺️ Plan the drive to Nenthead Mines
🚆 Or come by train
- Bardon Mill 13.2 miles
- Haltwhistle 13.6 miles
- Haydon Bridge 13.7 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page