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Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works is a complex of industrial sites in Durham dating from the post-medieval period, reflecting the extensive lead mining activity that characterised the northern Pennines. The workings include open cast excavations, shafts, and associated processing features typical of early modern lead extraction, with evidence of both underground and surface exploitation of the mineral deposits. The site represents an important phase of industrial development in the region, when lead mining formed a significant component of the local economy and landscape use. The surviving physical remains document the technological approaches and scale of operation that characterised lead working in this period.
Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1015825. View the official record →
Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works is a complex of industrial sites in Durham dating from the post-medieval period, reflecting the extensive lead mining activity that characterised the northern Pennines. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1015825.
Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1015825.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Westgate Castle (1.4 km), Enclosure NW of Old Park House (2.3 km), Middle Greenlaws Level lead mine and ore works (3.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Middlehope Shield and Low Slit lead mines and ore works stands on Yoredale Group, bedrock that formed in the Bashkirian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.