Longcliffe Mine

UPDATE: The Longcliffe Mine project is now complete, and the site is open to cavers again after being blocked for over 70 years. The shaft top was completely excavated and rebuilt, and a new heavy-duty grille has been fitted - please contact us if you want to visit, via access@tsgcaving.co.uk

A group of TSG members are working on the construction of a new shaft top for Longcliffe Mine on behalf of the National Trust. This work has been approved by the DCA, and has been made possible by a bursary from Natural England for remedial surface work. The shaft blockage has now been completely removed and extracted to surface, and a new hillock has been built to accommodate almost 6m of twinwall pipe, sunk vertically within the spoil. The shaft top has been created, with a custom grille, courtesy of Natural England, and full access to the workings will eventually be restored. The project is being documented in its entirety, and this will be presented once the project is complete, with regular updates. At the request of the National Trust, and in the interests of safety (due to the mine's location above a public footpath and with an uncapped deep void), please do not visit the site until the project is complete.

The Longcliffe site in winter, prior to the first stage of construction. Photo: Phil Wolstenholme.

Roy Rodgers and John Sharp fitting a new section of entrance pipe. Photo: Phil Wolstenholme.

Glyn Roberts and Alastair Gott diggng out the choke. Photo: Phil Wolstenholme.