Visitors to the Bex Salt Mines can discover the story of this site, from the time salt was first discovered in the 15th century to how it was mined from 1684 onwards, right up until today. There is even the opportunity to descend into the depths of the Bex Salt Mines via a real mining train.

Bex Salt Mines history

Between 200 to 600 million years ago, the Rhône Valley was a shallow sea, and it is from this sea that the great salt deposits of Bex within the Canton of Vaud originate. The salt mines were not discovered until 1554 in Switzerland, and production of salt quickly followed with a salt works built in Roche. Initially run by foreign nobles, in 1685 the mines came under control of the Bernese state.

As the mines demanded large amounts of wood, in 1695 a forest was planted in the Joux Verte gorge. The trees and their natural evaporation was replaced with boiling in the 17th century to speed salt production. As demand grew, tunnels were dug to find new sources, which included deposits at Le Bévieux and Les Devens.

Bex Salt Mines today

Today, you can descend the well-lit staircase within the immense cavernous dark of the Bex Salt Mines. This working salt mine produces 30,000 tons of salt per year, and is comprised of a labyrinth of tunnels over 50 km long. When visiting the museum and mines, visitors can learn about the various techniques of salt mining that date back to 1684.

A small yellow subterranean train takes you through the mining complex to a restaurant 400 metres down. Tour are guided in French, so be sure to pick up an audioguide if you do not speak the language. For those brave enough, take an adventure tour into the original 17th century mines.

Getting to the Bex Salt Mines

If you are happy to hike, from the Bex CFF railway station to the Salt Mines it takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. From the Bévieux TPC railway station to the Salt Mines, about 50 minutes. By car follow the A9 exit at Bex, then follow the brown road signs with “Mines de Sel” written on. Be aware not to confuse it with the Saline de Bex located just a few kilometres away.

Big Pit National Coal Museum history

Big Pit began its life as a working iron mine, initially hand dug around 1810 – five decades before the invention of dynamite. Its shallow iron deposits meant that the mine was relatively near to the surface, and it was given the name Engine Pit Level. Though no contemporary records of this first iron mine survive, in the 1960s miners explored the level and found an old mine cart that is today displayed in the museum.

The first record of a mine called Big Pit exists from 1881, at which time it was a working coal mine. Its name derived from the pit’s elliptical shape and vast proportions, measuring 18ft by 13ft, making it the first mine in Wales big enough to allow two tramways. Over the next few decades the mine was expanded to reach deeper coal seams, and at its peak in 1923 had 1,399 men working there. The mine produced House Coal, Steam Coal, Ironside, and Fireclay, and at one point was exporting as far as South America.

In 1939, the Pithead Baths were installed at the mine, meaning miners no longer had to trudge home to their families caked in dirt – this risked illness and required the time-consuming manual filling of baths at home.

Over the second half of the 20th century the number of workers at Big Pit dwindled, before on 2 February 1980 it closed for good. It was reopened as a museum in 1983 however, and in 2000 was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the wider Blaenavon industrial area, in recognition of its 19th century role as the world’s major producer of iron and coal.

Big Pit National Coal Museum today

A tour of the Big Pit National Coal Museum offers a real insight into this world, allowing visitors to walk through the old mining buildings and even take an underground tour 300 feet down into an old mineshaft. Tours are run by former coalminers, who provide personal interpretations of the site’s history, while above ground there are also exhibits about coal mining history, dealing with issues such as nationalisation, trade unions and safety.

A number of the mine’s historic buildings may be explored including the blacksmith’s forge, miners’ canteen, stables, and winding house. The Pithead Baths in particular offer an insight into the daily life of the miners, in which the locker rooms and showers that once helped the pit’s workers to scrub off the thick coal dust remain intact.

Getting to Big Pit National Coal Museum

Big Pit National Coal Museum is located in Blaenavon in Wales, near the Brecon Beacons National Park. It lies just south of the A465, and is signposted from its first exit, or alternatively can be reached via the A4043 from the southeast. The nearest train stations are Abergavenny and Pontypool & New Inn, both around 7.5 miles away, while the Stagecoach 30 bus service stops directly at the site.

Bottallack and Levant Mines history

Early mining records in the area date from at least the 1500s. These mine workings are far simpler than later ones and are much closer to the surface because of the difficulties of drainage. Some archaeological evidence suggests that the area was mined in the mid-Roman period, around 200 AD, and there is even suggestion of Bronze Age workings.

The entire mine at Bottallack closed in 1895 due to rapidly falling copper and tin prices. Most other Cornish mines had already closed.

As at Levant and Geevor, Botallack is a submarine mine, with its workings reaching half a mile out under the seabed. Many of these workings would have been produced with hammers, chisels and gunpowder, long before compressed and mechanical air drills were invented. Botallack produced roughly 14,500 tonnes of tin, 20,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 tonnes of refined arsenic. A staggering 1.5 million tonnes of waste would have been dumped into the sea and dyed it a distinctive red colour.

Possibly the most photographed point of the mine, the three crown rocks just offshore stand over lodes that stretch far out to sea.

In the 1860s, during a major reorganisation of the mine, a new diagonal shaft was excavated out under the sea to a depth of 500m. The Prince and Princess of Wales descended this shaft in 1865 to inaugurate the new section of the mine. Botallack soon became a popular tourist destination for those wishing to follow in their footsteps. It became so popular that the mine started charging a guinea a head.

Copper and tin had been mined at Levant for generations, and the mine workings of Levant extend over a mile out under the sea bed. Levant Mine first appeared on a map in 1748, yet it was in 1820 that the Levant Mining Company was formed. By 1836, 320 men, 44 women and 186 children were employed on the site.

In 1919, the man engine suffered a disastrous failure when a link between the rod and the engine snapped, killing 31 men. Levant experienced a steady decline and in 1930 the mine closed.

Bottallack and Levant Mines today

In the BBC series Poldark, the ruins around Botallack play a starring role as Wheal Leisure, the mine that Ross Poldark resurrects on his return to England. Botallack was also used during the filming of the original 1970s series.

Today there are popular walking trails around Bottallack and Levant Mines where visitors can learn about the history of the area as well as experiencing beautiful scenery.

Getting to Bottallack and Levant Mines

Bottalack and Levant Mines are on the Tin Coast, near St Just, Cornwall and the postcode is TR19 7QQ. The nearest train station is Penzance which is 7 miles away. There is also an hourly bus service from Penzance to Trewellard, 1 mile from the site of Levant Mine.

History of Casa del Rey Moro

Casa del Rey Moro was actually named after a tile on its façade which depicts a Moorish King. It was built in the 18th century and since 1767 has belonged to the family that held that Marquis of Salvatierra. In 1911, it was sold to the Duchess of Parcent, who extended and renovated the house into a Neo-Mudejar style.

It’s apparently Moorish gardens are even more recent, having been designed by French landscape gardener Jean Claude Forestier in 1912. These hanging gardens were declared a Site of Cultural Interest – the highest degree of heritage protection – from 1943, and are hugely popular amongst visitors.

The site is also known for its incorporation of one genuine and important relic of Ronda’s Moorish occupation – the so-called Water Mine.

The mine was built in the 14th century as a water supply for the town at a time Ronda was continually in the firing line between the Moors of Granada and the Christians of Seville.

The mine being built enabled water to be brought from the rio Guadelevin below. It was the Moorish King Abomelic who is said to have ordered slaves to build the Casa del Rey Moro Water Mine and local legend has it that he hid his gold there.

Casa del Rey Moro Today

The gardens and mine are open for visitors throughout the year, with the opening time schedule varying due to the summer and winter timetables.

Today, a trip to the mine offers an atmospheric descent down some 300 steps through various chambers.

These chambers include the Sala de la Noria, the name for the large Ferris wheel which was used to extract water, the Weapons Room where equipment was kept, and the Room of Secrets, named because two visitors standing at the edge of the domed room can whisper to one another perfectly clearly, while someone standing in the middle will find their conversation unintelligible.

Getting to Casa del Rey Moro

From the centre of Ronda, Casa del Rey Moro is reachable in around 15 minutes by foot via Carrera Espinel, or 12-15 minutes by car via Calle Granada or Calle Genal.

Today, they are a fascinating tourist attraction located a half an hour’s train journey out of London.

History of Chislehurst Caves

It is unclear exactly when the caves were first created. Early 20th century archaeologist William Nichols, then the Vice President of the British Archaeological Association, suggested that they had been made by the Druids, Romans and Saxons. This theory later led to different sections of the caves being named, and today tour guides point out supposed Druid altars and Roman features. However, this is heavily disputed and very unlikely.

The earliest mention of the mines and lime-burning kilns dates from a 9th century charter, and then once again in 1232 AD. The earliest documented evidence of a chalk cave dates to 1737, and it’s likely that the caves were most active and developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are last believed to have been worked on as late as the 1860s for producing lime.

When air-raids began during World War Two, the caves were used for shelter. Inhabitants from London and Kent paid 1p per night to sleep in the biggest bomb shelter in London. The tunnels accommodated up to an incredible 15,000 people at a time and were fitted with electric lighting, toilets, washing facilities, a chapel and hospital.

So many people were packed into the caves as bomb shelters that temperatures reportedly often reached up to 70°F (21 degrees Celsius).

In the 1930s, the caves were used for mushroom cultivation. From the 1950s they were used for music gigs, with bands performing right up until 2001.

Chislehurst Caves today

Today, the caves are open to the public via tour only. A 45-minute tour will take you along a mere mile of the tunnels, but it is well worth it to explore the relics of hundreds of years of human activity.

Along with being a hugely popular tourist attraction, the caves have been the site of a number of cultural spectacles, such as two performances by Jimi Hendrix, four performances by David Bowie, a performance by Pink Floyd, an episode of Doctor Who (some of the stage set glitter is still visible on some of the walls) and a Led Zeppelin launch party. They are still available for private hire for a range of events.

Getting to Chislehurst Caves

The caves are a 30 minute train ride from London Bridge or Charing Cross, and are a short walk from Chislehurst Railway Station. By road, take the A222 between the A20 and A21. At the railway bridge by Chislehurst Station, turn into Station Approach, turn right at the end then right again into Caveside Close.

By bus, the 269 runs between Bromley and Bexleyheath and the 162 runs between Beckenham and Eltham. The entrance can be found in Caveside Close near the “Bickley Arms” public house.

Dolaucothi Gold Mines history

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines were first extensively mined by the Romans between 70 and 80 AD, with open-cast workings and several tunnels created to exploit the area’s gold veins.

This would have been achieved solely with picks and hammers, however the infamous Roman aqueducts were also employed to scour away the topsoil and wash the ore as it was dug out. The longest of these was about 7 miles long and ran from its source in a gorge of the River Cothi, to the hillsides above the modern village of Pumsaint.

A fort named Luentinum was established near the mine in around 78 AD, and would send its convicts and prisoners of war to work there as punishment – it was seemingly abandoned around 50 years later for unknown reasons however. Still, Roman activity seems to have remained in the area for many years, with pottery discovered nearby dating from at least the late 3rd century.

Dolaucothi Gold Mines today

Today the Dolaucothi Gold Mines are managed by the National Trust, who run guided tours around the site. Outside the mines, clear evidence of its usage may be seen on the landscape, including undulating woodland disturbed by the pits and trenches beneath and the many small hills made up of old spoil tips.

Inside, further evidence of the Romans’ use of the mine may be found. 2,000-year-old pick-marks can still be made out on the cave walls, as well as the remains of the aqueduct channels and adjoining water tanks.

The mines are a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and as the only known Roman gold mines in Britain they give a valuable insight into the Romans’ lesser-known exploits while in Britain.

Getting to Dolaucothi Gold Mines

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are located near the village of Pumsaint in Carmarthenshire, Wales. They can be reached by taking the A482 road off the A40, and free parking is available at the site. The nearest train station is 8-miles away at Llanwrda, however public transport to the site itself is scarce, with the nearest bus stop at Caio Turn, a 35-minute walk to the site. The 289 bus service from Lampeter to Llandovery runs along this route.

Great Orme Ancient Mines history

Dating back over 4,000 years to the Bronze Age, it is thought that the Great Orme Ancient Mines were once Britain’s leading copper producers, reaching their peak productivity between 1700 BC and 1400 BC. This is evidenced by the fact that in around 1600 BC all other copper mines in Britain had been forced to close as they were unable to compete!

They remained in use until their abandonment in around 600 BC, following which they were later reopened by the Romans who utilised them at various times during the Romano-British period. The mines would again be used from the late 17th to the 19th centuries as the demand for copper rose, however in 1881 they were abandoned for the final time.

When the Great Orme Ancient Mines were accidentally uncovered in 1987, archaeologists found a huge underground complex thought to be the largest known prehistoric mine in the world. The 5 miles of tunnels discovered since these excavations are even thought to make up less than half of what remains to be found!

Great Orme Ancient Mines today

Today, visitors can explore the mines on a self-guided tour usually lasting around 45 minutes. Hard hats are issued as you descend two levels of the mine, experiencing what it may have been like for the ancient miners of Great Orme those 4,000 years ago. Make sure to wrap up warm, temperatures vary between 5-8 degrees celsius underground!

Above ground, the surface walk around the smelting shelter and open-cast mines give further insight into the fascinating world of ancient mining, while the visitors’ centre gives information on life in a Bronze Age village and features a number of ancient artefacts!

Getting to the Great Orme Ancient Mines

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are located in Llandudno, and are well-signposted from the A55 and all other approach roads into the town. There is parking at the site, while Llandudno train station is a 30-minute walk away.

The site can also be reached via the Great Orme Tramway, with the Halfway Station a 10-minute walk to the site, and the 26 bus service also stopping here.

History of Grime’s Graves

Grime’s Graves was first named ‘Grim’s Graves’ by the Anglo-Saxons. However, it was not until the site was excavated in 1870 that they were first identified as flint mines which were dug more than 5,000 years ago.

During the Neolithic period, flint was widely used for making polished stone axes. It was later used for building and as strikers for muskets.

On the surface, the monument appears to be grassy structure with many dents. Underneath, however, the monument is large, with at least 433 shafts which were dug into the natural chalk having been identified thus far. The largest shafts are more than 14m deep and 12m in diameter.

Grime’s Graves today

Today, a small exhibition area illustrates the history of the fascinating site. Incredibly, visitors can descent 9 meters by ladder into an excavated shaft to see the jet-black flint.

The landscape is also worth wandering around, since it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.

Getting to Grime’s Graves

From the centre of Cambridge, Grime’s Graves are around an hour long drive via the A14 and A11 roads. From nearby Norwich, it’s about the same distance via the A11.

History of Mons Claudianus

Mons Claudianus is located in the mountains of the Egyptian Eastern desert, about midway between the Red Sea and Qena, in what is now the Red Sea Governorate.

The site was discovered in 1823.

Mons Claudianus was one of a few Roman quarries used to mine for granodiorite, a type of quartz only found in Egypt and which was used in many of the empire’s most famous buildings, including the Pantheon and Temple of Venus in Rome, and Emperor Hadrian’s villa in Tivoli, public baths, the floors and the columns of the Temple of Venus, and Diocletian’s Palace at Split.

Established and used in the first century AD, it is thought that Mons Claudianus may also have been a penal colony, with small habitable cells attesting to this.

The excavation of the site occurred over two centuries from the 1st century AD to the mid-3rd century AD. There is no evidence of any settlement at the site prior to it being used and settled upon as a quarry by the Romans.

The settlement resembled a fort with walls and projecting towers, and would have housed an estimated 1000 quarrymen and guards.

It was linked to the River Nile by a traceable surviving Roman road marked by way-stations – which resembled small defended ‘forts’ – spaced out at one-day intervals. The stones from the quarries were then taken along the road to the Nile Valley for trans-shipment to Rome.

Documents found on the site refer to 4 and 12-wheeled carts, and include a request for delivery of new axles.

Life for non-prisoners at the quarry would have been surprisingly good, with evidence of high pay and a rich and varied diet made up of at least 55 different food plants and 20 different sources of animal protein.

Mons Claudianus Today

The arid conditions of the desert have allowed the documents and organic remains of the site to survive.

What remains today are several fallen columns, a staircase which was intended to lead to an (unfinished) temple, and the ruins of a fort. Evidence of the quartz for which the Romans mined can also be seen at Mons Claudianus.

A number of texts written on broken pottery (ostraca) have also been discovered at the site.

Tours can be easily arranged in Hurghada, a nearby beach resort town which stretches around 40km along the coast of Egypt’s Red sea coast.

Getting to Mons Claudianus

From Hurghada, the site is an hour and a half drive via Al Hurghada – Qena/Hurghada – Safaga Rd/Route 65M and Al Hurghada – Qena/Qena – Safaga Rd/Route 60M. It is definitely recommended that you do this as part of a tour, since the desert site is fairly winding and complicated to reach.

Redlake China Clay Works history

Kaolin (often called china clay) is a mineral that was initially used as a key material in the manufacturing of porcelain. William Cookworthy, a pharmacist, discovered numerous deposits of kaolin in Cornwall in the 18th century, and he established a porcelain factory in nearby Plymouth.

The china clay industry is integral to the economic history of southwest England. While there are numerous metal mines, particularly tin, scattered throughout the Devon and Cornwall coast and countryside, the mining of china clay is a bigger industry than all of the metal output combined. The industry largely grew up around Saint Austell (nicknamed ‘the Cornish Alps’) where it is still active today. But by the end of the 19th century kaolin deposits were being surveyed in Dartmoor and a quarry was built at Redlake.

Construction of a railway between Bittaford, on the south of Dartmoor, and the planned quarry was started in 1911 and the china clay works were active from 1912. However, mining was severely disrupted by the First World War, which created a labour shortage. China clay from southwest England was also seeing international competition from deposits discovered in Malaya and Australia, and price decreases made the enterprise more difficult. The first owners of the site – the China Clay Corporation LTD – was wound up in 1924 after work on the site had essentially stopped in 1918.

Under new ownership in the 1920s, the clay works became productive once again.

During the 1920s, the site would have had around 200 men working on the site, and was a major employer for the south Dartmoor area. The railway brought men and supplies up from the villages of Ivybridge and Bittaford. There were 11 buildings at the works, along with the quarry and the spoil heap.

Despite good productivity in the 1920s, the kaolin industry suffered due to the Great Depression starting in late 1929. By 1932, the owners were once again out of business and the site was abandoned.

During World War Two, the buildings were destroyed by the Ministry of Defence.

The Redlake area today

The Redlake China Clay Works are in a remote plain – called Brown Heath – on south Dartmoor. The elevation is near 450 meters.

The spoil heap or tip can be seen for several kilometres in many different directions.

China clay concentrators and abandoned works are located on the southern ridge of Brown Heath. Piping and the tramway connects that site with the main quarry, which is about 1km walk.

The quarry now appears as a large lake – which is a wild swimming spot. The spoil tip is about 30 metres tall and can be climbed up for a spectacularly bleak 360 degree view of the southern plains of Dartmoor. The foundations and remains of the industrial and administrative buildings are located at the quarry.

Getting to Redlake

Redlake is in a very isolated position in the south of Dartmoor. Outside of summer, it is possible you will not see anyone at all on your walk to and from the site. Bearing this in mind, it’s important to take the right clothing (particularly a waterproof jacket) if you plan on walking to Redlake from any direction.

The tramway forms part of the Two Moors Way and is easily identifiable on OS Maps. The quickest route to reach the site is via the Lud Gate at Scorriton – walking to and from the site from this location will take around 3 hours.