Housed on the original site of the Loftus ironstone mine—Cleveland’s first, opened in 1865—the museum reveals the story of how Skinningrove and the surrounding “Iron Valley” became central to Britain’s ironstone boom. From the Roman-era traces through to the mass‑scale extraction that peaked in the 19th century, visitors are taken through a landscape deeply shaped by industrial endeavour.
Formerly the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum and originally founded in 1983 as the Tom Leonard Mining Museum, the site underwent a £2.3 million “Room to Grow” redevelopment, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other bodies. This work culminated in its relaunch as Land of Iron in 2022–23, with a new name chosen to capture the immersive, heritage‑led visitor experience it offers.
The collection now includes never‑before‑exhibited artefacts: a First World War commemorative quilt, paintings by local artist Stan Binks, and the museum’s single largest object—a horse‑drawn ambulance. Visitors can explore original mine buildings and a drift tunnel, guided underground into the darkness with authentic hard‑hat tours that reveal the routines and hazards of life underground for the miners and “trappy lads” of old Skinningrove.
Beyond displays, Land of Iron functions as a heritage hub for East Cleveland’s industrial memory. It features interactive galleries, tailored educational spaces, and community outreach programmes. Strong local volunteer support and a commitment to multi‑sensory storytelling have helped cement its role as both museum and social asset, preserving links between past and present for future generations.
Further Information: Land of Iron Museum