Lead - Mining      Lead - mining was one of the most important industries in the Peak from Roman times until it reached its zenith in the 18C.   It helped develop the fortunes of major landowners, in particular the Dukes of Devonshire and Rutland who built palaces with their lead - mining income.   Evidence of the old lead mines is scattered over the peak limestone plateaux with humps and hollows that dot the surrounding landscape.

The most complete and evocative remains of a mine are at Magpie Mine near Bakewell, which was worked almost continuously for two centuries. It dates from 1739 and issaid to be haunted. Water still drains from the mineworkings through a man - made passage, or "sough" and flows out into the river Wye 1 3/4 miles away to the north below Great Shacklow Wood. Visitors can explore the remains of the pumphouse, the horse - operated winding systems and the round " Cornish chimney".

Matlock Bath is the home of the award - winning " hands - on " Peak District Mining Museum, set in the domed pavillion, covering 2000 years of Derbyshire lead - mining history. It houses a giant water pressure engine resurrected from a local mine. There are also manually operated pumps and easy to follow geological displays, but the main attraction is the cleverly reproduced group of mining shafts, just wide enough for children to go up and down.

Elsewhere on the limestone plateau are other signs of lead - workings in the form of " rakes" - a Derbyshire word referring to small fault lines in the earth where lead and other minerals congregate. Near Arbor Low stone - circle, the road east passes Long Rake where fluorspa and other once waste products from old lead mines are processed. Although the fluorspa is worked out, the processing plant still functions and the line of the rake is marked by a shelter belt of trees along the roadside. Grassed over spoil heaps near Mawstone Farm on the slopes above Bradford Dale (near Middleton - by - Youlgreave ) mark the site of Mawstone Mine.   This is where the worst disaster in the history of Derbyshire lead - mining occured in the 1800's, when firedamps - a form of methane - exploded killing 8 miners.

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