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Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum(See also Threlkeld)
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum Photos courtesy of Julian Thurgood and Graeme Dougal © 1997-2008 by The Cumbria Directory. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from The Cumbria Directory is prohibited. |
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The Threlkeld Quarry and
Mining Museum, located in a disused micro-granite quarry, is a geological and mining museum that
also offers a 45 minute underground tour of a realistic mine experience. On site is a collection
of mine machinery that includes a collection of vintage excavators. Visitors can pan for
minerals. A re-laid two foot gauge mineral railway provides rides for visitors into the inner
quarry.
In the Mining Room are artefacts,
plans, and photographs related to local mines. There is also a display of local minerals and a
section on lighting, drilling, and explosives. The Quarry Room contains photographs and rock
samples explaining the features of some of the local quarries. It also details the relationship
between Lake District geology and the quarrying of local limestone, sandstone, granite, and
slate. Samples of rocks from local formations are keyed to a large table map.
The quarry was originally opened in the
1870s to provide stone ballast for the railway. It then provided stone for the Manchester
waterworks Thirlmere construction and for roads. It was closed in 1937 but re-opened in 1949 and
continued mining until 1982.