Location
SJ 161 725 (Approx)

Directions
From the pub in Babel, head towards Brynford but take the first left (it’s about 100 yards from the pub) and drive down the narrow country lane for around ¼ mile until you come to a dip in the bottom. Park up.

There are public footpaths on the right and left – take the left. Follow the muddy track for 300 yards (ish) keeping the fence line on your right. You will see a shallow dip in the land and it will start to rise – the fence here has been squashed down by fallen branches and you should be able to see grass/dirt covered spoil heaps just on the other side. The entrance is a little difficult to spot but it is there.

Access
Open. Access arrangements unknown


Suggested Equipment
None. Ladders to reach the lower level if water levels permit

Length
500-600 yards

Flood Risk
The lower level has always been flooded right up to the higher level and definitely floods. At the time of posting the lower level had dropped to an accessible depth. The upper level is unlikely to flood (there is no evidence it ever has)

Mine Attributes
Lead

Description
An interesting mine with a couple of passages running of the main level and a lower drainage level.

The floor of the passage towards the rear is a continuous and wondrous calcite gour formation and great care should be taken not to step on it to preserve it’s enchantment. The ceiling and walls are adorned with unspoiled examples of calcite flow and calcite curtains. There is some zinc staining in parts.

A side passage takes you across two holes and to a point in the mine where part of the wall has fallen away revealing a fantastic slice of earth/sediment with very clear layers – each layer representing an “age” of the outside world (see photo below).

The lower level is odd in that it MUST drain since the water has been escaping. Since the mine is located in the lowest part of a dip between the hills, it is hard to imagine where the drainage adit extends to. Upon entering the level, it was full of gloopy silt/mud from the long time it has been completely flooded and the water was too high to attempt to follow it out.

Unexplored Passages
The lower drainage adit

Digs
None

Links
None Known

glad to see you ventured over the scaf bar to get these byoooootys. well done