Site Records

SiteName:Nenthead: Brewery Shaft & The Nent Force Level

Nenthead
Cumbria
OS Grid Ref: NY78184350

Sub Brit site visit June 1997

Near the connection to the Nent Force Level is a 15' iron waterwheel. Power from this appears to be geared down about 1:3 by some extremely worn iron gears. The rest of the machinery is very ruinous but a rocking beam, some chains and two cast-iron pulley wheels are visible. The water feed still runs down from the shaft nearby, maybe connected to the arched tunnel visible part way down Brewery Shaft.

The purpose for the wheel is not obvious. Nearby, part of the level floor has been turned into a concrete channel which might have been to prevent water falling into a trial below. Indeed there is a flooded hole in the floor here which is traversed using rails, but the hole is currently only about five feet deep. The rocking beam and chains may have been used to operate pumps but there is no sign of any winding gear. Another possibility is that the waterwheel feed water shaft continues under the level. This area is choked with debris making examination difficult.

In 1949 the assets of the Vieille Montagne Zinc Company were sold to the Imperial Smelting Corporation Ltd. and put under the control of one of its subsidieries Anglo-Austral Mines Ltd. but the mines were quickly run down and abandoned. Flourspar mining continued until 1960 when it became uneconomic and the final batch of flourspar was processed at Rampgill Mill in 1961. In 1970 British Steel took over the whole of Alston Moor to explore for Flourspar

For 35 years the old buildings around the Rampgill Horse Level portal remained empty until 1994 when the site was acquired by the North Pennines Heritage Trust who began a multi-million pound restoration project which led to the opening of the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. The site is now a scheduled ancient monument and a site of special scientific interest. Work is ongoing with a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and further grants from English Partnerships and English Heritage.

To date, none of the mine entrances (excepts Carrs which is now a show mine) have been locked. Although access for the inexperienced is discouraged, the Trust is happy for competent and experienced groups to explore the abandoned mines but they ask to be informed of each visit. Rampgill Horse Level is located (NY78184351) adjacent to the entrance to the Heritage Centre and the level intersects Brewery Shaft after two hundred feet.

The Nent Force Level failed in its purpose of discovering any major new lead deposits. It did, however, facilitate the exploration of the mines it drained and served as an important spillway for water from the compressors and turbines at the base of Brewery Shaft.

Plaque originally mounted above Nent Force portal

The portal at Alston was blocked in the 1950's, damming the water in the level to feed the Alston Foundry. The entrance is now open but gated. Parts of the level can be explored from the various shafts. Nentsberry Haggs Shaft is at NY7764540, Wellgill Shaft is at NY783346 and Brewery Shaft is at NY783435. The best point of access is from the Horse Level where the shaft can be laddered or descended by SRT.

The top of the shaft is on private ground, until recently it was covered with concrete sleepers but now has a new visitors centre on the top. There are however occasional winch trips arranged by caving and mining clubs for their own members; but generally there is no public access by this route and winch trips have to be arranged with the North Penines Heritage Trust.

Technical and historical information from 'Nenthead Mines' by Martin Critchley (published by Peak District Mines Historical Society and 'The Mines of Alston Moor' by R.A.Fairbairn (published by Northern Mines Research Society). The interpretation of the underground engine chambers and machines is by Paul Thorne of the Kent Underground Research Group who also organised the winch trip. Nick Catford of the Kent Underground Research Group and Subterranea Britannica undertook the photographic survey in 1997 with the assistance of Mike Moore of the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club.

Further information and pictures about this site continues here

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