up and see daylight filtering down from 30 Disabled Access metres above. Because of this, it is not Please note that the surface tour includes Snailbeach possible to demonstrate total darkness. sections with steps and steep paths so not However, with the lights turned off it is all of it will be accessible for wheelchairs. A similar to the conditions miners worked lot of the site is still accessible for disabled Lead Mine under with candles. persons but please check when booking. Minsterley, Shropshire It may be possible to arrange access for disabled persons underground into Day Level using a truck with seats but prior notice should be given. There is parking next to the Visitor Centre for disabled persons. There are tools at the end which the guide Booking will use to demonstrate mining techniques. Contact the Site Co-ordinator :- Although shorter than Perkins Level, with Guided Tours fewer mining features, it can give you a Peter Sheldrake flavour of what it was like underground. 11 Brook Rd for Groups Pontesbury Shrewsbury SYS OQZ Visitors Centre (approx 30 minutes) The Snailbeach Lead Mine was worked T. 01743-790613 It is recommended that all groups include from Roman times up until 1955 and was this in the tour as the last place visited, once Shropshire's biggest metal mine. It whether on surface or underground. You Charges has the best set of lead mine buildings in can watch a 10 minute DVD, which gives a We make a charge as a contribution the country and is a valuable historical resume of what you have seen and more. towards preservation costs of the mine site. resource for schools or other groups. The You are then welcome to spend time Discounts are available for families, site is managed by Shropshire Council and looking at the displays and perhaps to educational establishments, etc so please the Shropshire Mines Trust. Details of purchase books and souvenirs. ask when booking. An Education Pack is normal opening times are available on the available online at Mine website. http://shropshiremines.org.uk/educpack/index.htm http://snailbeachmine. org. uk Shropshire Mines Trust 2011 Visitors should leave their vehicles in the village hall car park, which is big enough to take a coach. Note that there are toilets in Supported by the car park but none on the mine site. Although the site can be visited at any time, Surface (approx 60 minutes) If time permits, you can see the end of the access to the Visitor Centre, Locomotive Your guide will give you a conducted tour exploration level where the miners carried Shed, Blacksmith's Shop and underground around the site, explaining the history, out their last blast. Since there was no is only possible when the site is manned by geology, buildings, how the mine was mineral, they gave up at this point and Trust volunteers. worked and the way of life. You will have didn't even bother to clear away the rubble, access to the Locomotive Shed, and thus ending over 1,000 years of mining Guided tours can also be arranged for Blacksmith's Shop. There is an area where started by the Romans. groups at other times, including evenings. you may search for mineral specimens if The ideal group size is from 8-15 persons you wish and take them away. Here your guide can demonstrate total but smaller groups are always welcome, darkness. This underground experience is although you may be merged with another considered to be the "icing on the cake". group. Larger groups can be accommodated by splitting them into smaller groups and having separate guides. Perkins Level (approx 40 minutes) The first part of the mine has water on the Day Level (approx 20 minutes) floor and sometimes this can be up to 6 The mine is normally dry underfoot so inches deep. It is thus recommended that normal footwear is sufficient. It has rails wellies be worn (unless you have spare laid along most of its length and, if you are Leaders should note that they are footwear). We have some spare wellies lucky, you may get pushed up on a truck responsible for control of their group during that can be borrowed but we cannot with seats. This is especially popular with tours. School parties are welcome with the guarantee the sizes will fit you! tour content being adjusted to suit the age children. of the children. The mine is unlit so torches are essential. The mine is unlit so torches are essential. Helmets will be provided and there may be Helmets will be provided and there may be Tour Itinerary some headlamps available as well, A full tour (including underground visit) can depending on numbers. some headlamps available as well, take about 2% hours but can be tailored depending on numbers. according to the time available and the You will see veins containing barite and There are no traces of mineral since this interests of the group. lead (galena) in the area where the men was only an access level to the main shaft. were working. There you can see the tools The latter has been grilled over at the end There are four main elements and you can they used, with which the guide will so you can look down. You can also look "pick & mix" to suit your requirements. demonstrate mining techniques..