Slate Mining in the Lake District

An Illustrated History

Alastair Cameron

• Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• Year: 2016
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781445651316
• Subtopic: World History
• Index: History

The remnants of slate mining and quarrying form as much a part of the Lakeland historic landscape as the stone walls, heathered moorlands and Lakeland farms do. A significant number of local families currently living in Lake District villages has had some connections with the slate industry in the past, and a few are still involved in the industry today. Although many believe that slate was worked during the Roman era, the present 'style' of slate-working started shortly after the Norman Conquest to help build the Norman castles, abbeys and priories in Britain. The Normans were familiar with slate; it had been worked for centuries earlier at sites in the Ardennes and in the Loire valley. By 1280 there are references to slate being worked at Longsleddale and by the fifteenth century the industry was well established throughout the district. Using historic detail, photographs and captions, Slate Mining in the Lake District: An Illustrated History explores the history of the industry in the Lake District. Considering slate mining's key role in the heritage of this iconic national park, Alastair Cameron also details its present-day operations.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Introduction
• Working of Slate
• Slate Quarrymen
• What is Slate?
• Yew Crag Slate Mine, Borrowdale
• Moss Head Workings, Coniston
• Dubs Quarry, Buttermere
• Elterwater Quarry, Langdale
• Scald Cop Workings, Coniston
• Quarrymen’s Bothies
• Goatsfoot Quarry, Coniston
• Kimberley Mine, Honister
• Betsy Crag Quarries, Little Langdale
• Broughton Moor Quarries, Torver
• Steel Rigg Slate Quarry, Borrowdale
• Quay Foot Workings, Borrowdale
• Petts Quarry, Kirkstone
• High Fell Quarry, Tilberthwaite
• Banks Quarry, Langdale
• Castle Crag, Borrowdale
• Hodge Close, Coniston
• Blue Quarries, Coniston
• Walna Scar Quarries, Coniston
• Aerial Flights on Coniston Old Man
• Penny Rigg Quarries, Tilberthwaite
• Visiting an Operating Mine
• Moss Rigg Quarry, Coniston
• Honister’s Incline Railway
• Cove Quarries, Coniston
• Rigg Head Quarries, Borrowdale
• Coniston Old Man Slate Workings
• Goat Crag, Tilberthwaite
• Honister Slate Workings
• Saddlestone Quarries, Coniston
• Sam Wright Roads, Borrowdale
• Low Water Quarries, Coniston
• Thrang Quarry, Langdale
• Goldscope Slate Workings, Coniston
• Parrock Quarry, Coniston
• Jumb Quarry, Kentmere
• Caldron and Lambfold Quarries, Kentmere
• Hartcrag Quarry, Kentmere
• Honister Slate Workings
• Lingmoor Quarry, Langdale
• Spion Kop Workings, Coniston
• Horse Crag Slate Workings, Tilberthwaite
• ‘Light Hole’ Workings, Coniston
• Peat Field Slate Working, Tilberthwaite
• Loughrigg Quarry, Rydal