About Us

Situated in a microgranite quarry, the museum takes full advantage of its position within the Northern Lake District. It is close to many of the classic, well-documented sites used by geologists for their excursions. The quarry itself is a RIGS site and displays contacts between the "Skiddaw Slate" and the granite intrusion, as well as other fascinating features.

 

The Mining Section

The museum now has a new mining section which has been developed with the help and cooperation of the Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society and a number of individuals.

 

The Mining Room

The Mining Room contains artefacts, plans and photographic records of explorations of many local mines, which, in this area, exploited copper, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, graphite, barites and fluorite. A representative display of local minerals can be seen and there is a section on lighting, drilling and explosives.

 

The Quarry Room

The Quarry Room explains the relationship between the geology of the Lake District area and the quarrying of local limestone, sandstone, granite and slate. Samples of rocks from all the important local formations are keyed to a large table map. Photographs and rock samples from more than fifty old and more recent quarries are displayed to illustrate the special features of each.

The Quarry Site

The extensive quarry site has ample space for the display of the unique collection of vintage excavators and old quarry machinery. The 2ft gauge mineral railway has been relaid and provides a ride into the inner quarry for visitors to view the quarry faces in safety.