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As you walk the gently rising mine track from just outside Braithwaite village, it is hard to believe that this beautiful area of the Lake District fells was once the backdrop to a mining industry. Hugging the side of the fell with the winding beck below, you are lead to the head of the Coledale valley and the sheer dark face of Force Crag.
For over 200 years men have worked in this isolated spot digging for lead, in the early years and then later barites and zinc. During the Second World War, tons of barites were extracted for making munitions. Trucks transported materials from the mine levels high above Force Crag down the fell side along what became known as the 'Burma Road'. The operation was very risky particularly during icy winters; as a result an aerial ropeway was built, but this also failed in freezing conditions.
The working environment was harsh at Force Crag, huge amounts of water flow through the mine most of the time. In 1990 a collapse occurred at zero level. Water and debris built up behind the collapse which could not be removed causing the mine to finally close.
We open the processing mill on five days every year, contact us for the latest arrangements.
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Every effort is made to make sure that all the information is correct but we strongly recommend that you call Force Crag Mine before you set off on your day out to confirm opening times and admission prices.
Please also note that the position on Google maps for Force Crag Mine is a rough estimate using their postcode in the database and might be slightly out.
It may also be worth clicking the web link for Force Crag Mine to see if there are any special events coming up or currently on.
