Lead and limestone have been worked for over 2000 years, creating close knit communities and the landscape that we value so much today.
Halkyn was one of the largest lead producers in Britain. Beneath the mountain is a vast network of shafts and tunnels gouged by generations of miners following the veins of lead. Limestone too has always been valued for building, fertilizer, cement and glass making and is still vital today for the construction industry.
Let us take you back in time to see how the limestone was first laid down. Then take a tour underground, discover how a limekiln works, peep into a busy working quarry or find out what life was like on Halkyn for the miners, quarrymen and their families.
Halkyn Mountain Common is owned by Grosvenor Estates and is designated a Special Area of Conservation.
This website is still under construction. Please keep checking the site as new content will be added regularly.
From the Halkyn Blog
Caving Quotes – Series 2
“Thanks to the unusual layout of the drainage tunnels, in many places access comes from below. These slowly-decaying ladders offer a tantalising route into the oldest parts of the workings, but climbing them requires expertise and a dose of bravery!” Dr Dave Merchant “The Milwr Tunnel often ran through areas of bad ground, intersecting with […]
Caving Quotes – Series 1
After an vein or lode has had all its ore removed, the space that remains is called a stope. The photograph shows an access passage and the view from the bottom of a stope, which extends almost vertically for 200 feet. There’s just so much for mine explorers to see, with open stopes and passages at varying heights throughout the workings.
A New Garrison at the Fort
On this most dull and inclement morning I awoke to the sound of marching feet, I cannot say I’m not glad to have a reminder of home in this dank outpost but these young pups look more likely to be a hinderance than a help during my time here. After the discovery of a healthy […]