Killhope Lead Mining Museum
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Closed until 29 Mar 2024
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 29, 2024
About
Temporary closure.
Killhope is closed from 5 November 2023, and will reopen at Easter 2024.
Works to restore our popular museum in County Durham are set to be carried out this year.
The North of England Lead Mining Museum is a multi-award winning attraction and is situated 450 metres (1500 feet) above sea level in Upper Weardale within the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With breath-taking scenery, underground adventure, hands-on activities, fascinating lead mining history, woodland walks and amazing flora and wildlife, there is so much to do and see for all the family.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
314 reviews
Excellent
247
Very good
51
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Mark T
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
As the weather was looking bad, we decided to go here earlier in the holidays than we'd planned. We took wellies, which are essential, and did the mine trip. The guide was lovely. But the mine is showing its age and you can see the wood showing through in the fake bits. Not all the staff seem to be with the spirit, though. Around lunchtime, a dark haired woman took over from the receptionist and she wasn't very nice to the visitors - one of my children called her a witch! - or the other staff members. We tried not to let this worry us, but the 2 stars are for the other staff not her. It was also a shame that so much was closed down. I've been to better and was very disappointed.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn B
19 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Came across this lovely Victorian lead mining museum by chance. Full of history and plenty of hands on things for the grandchildren. The little cafe is good and the gift shop full of interesting goodies. Staff are lovely, toilets are clean, well worth a visit. May need to bring wellies and a spare jumper.
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie H
27 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Excellent museum with very knowledgeable staff. The exhibits are very interesting and well laid out. There is also a nice walk round the site and a scenic picnic area. We had lunch in the cafe and the food was very nice and not expensive. The mine tour is fascinating and as 4 middle aged women we can honestly say it wasn't difficult to negotiate. But I see why wellies are essential! The tour gives a real insight into the life of a miner. Shout out to Sarah. We were in safe hands!
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
Durham, UK85 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
EXCELLENT well worth a visit being your own wellies to go down the mine. Cafe is nice at the entrance and the BEST part is the guys are helpful friendly and very knowledgable of the mine. The stories they tell are also excellent so DO, DO THE TOUR not just wanted about.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure61354384534
London, UK4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very interesting and staff were so enthusiastic in passing on their knowledge. They really engaged with the children there too, giving them a great time.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonia G
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
My son loves visiting here and I can’t believe more people don’t know about this hidden gem of a place. we couldn’t believe it was still free ( even after covid). The lead mine tour is amazing but we brought the dog this time so didn’t book it. The guys are so knowledgeable and helpful taking you through the workings of the lead mine. Of course the most favourite part is taking part in washing the rocks and finding your own minerals.
It’s so exciting .
The rain didn’t put us off although we didn’t do the walks for as long and enjoyed the inside museum part . The cafe has a lovely selection of cakes and even the outdoor picnic area is under cover so we warmed up with a hot drink.
Tip: for the mining tour you need your own wellies
Dogs can’t go in the cafe or mine but welcome everywhere else .
Have a brilliant day . The views alone on the drive down are spectacular .
It’s so exciting .
The rain didn’t put us off although we didn’t do the walks for as long and enjoyed the inside museum part . The cafe has a lovely selection of cakes and even the outdoor picnic area is under cover so we warmed up with a hot drink.
Tip: for the mining tour you need your own wellies
Dogs can’t go in the cafe or mine but welcome everywhere else .
Have a brilliant day . The views alone on the drive down are spectacular .
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lex284
London, UK6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We thought our visit would last us 30minutes at best. We were very wrong- it was amazing! We were shown how to look for lead (gallena) in rocks and we’re able to do this how the miners had done so. Andy the Rock Man gave a captivating experience for children and adults on what we’d found and the importance of rocks which captured mine and my children’s imagination.
The staff were helpful and knowledgeable. The playground was great and we didn’t have time (or wellies) to allow us to go down the mine. But overall, brilliant. We had to leave as it closed, but please benefit from our mistake and make sure you have enough time as it was excellent.
The staff were helpful and knowledgeable. The playground was great and we didn’t have time (or wellies) to allow us to go down the mine. But overall, brilliant. We had to leave as it closed, but please benefit from our mistake and make sure you have enough time as it was excellent.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen S
Portsmouth, UK6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
A really great FREE experience for all the family.
The Rock Show Man was superb - very inventive - great fun - we learned a lot.
There's lots for the kids and adults to see and do, and the Interpreters are friendly and full of stories.
The Rock Show Man was superb - very inventive - great fun - we learned a lot.
There's lots for the kids and adults to see and do, and the Interpreters are friendly and full of stories.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristopher S
Sunderland, UK62 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Good family day out with interesting insight into how people used to work with interactive zones for children. All free of charge. Wellies needed for the mines and not for under 4’s. The pump house and Forrest are currently closed so not as much open as there should be but all said it is free and you can’t complain set in beautiful scenery with a loverly drive too it.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gayle
Lancaster, UK5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We really loved our spontaneous visit here. We particularly enjoyed the trip down the mine (make sure you take wellies!) we ended up with our own private tour and learnt so much from our fantastic guide!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it accessible for disabled
David A
Durham, UK85 contributions
Partly it is, the museum area and cafe are, you can go outside but you may have to ask about how to get into the mine or it could be too tricky for some disabled people. There is one upstairs area that is steep but it’s tiny and readily not bothered with.
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Claim your listingKILLHOPE LEAD MINING MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Killhope Lead Mining Museum
- Killhope Lead Mining Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 16:30
- Hotels near Killhope Lead Mining Museum:
- (5.94 mi) Westgate Manor
- (0.58 mi) Hill Top Haven - B&B and Retreat
- (6.14 mi) Ninebanks Youth Hostel & Chalet
- (9.72 mi) High Force Hotel
- (3.86 mi) Haggs Bank Bunkhouse & Campsite
- Restaurants near Killhope Lead Mining Museum:
- (0.12 mi) Killhope Cafe
- (4.90 mi) Chatterbox Cafe
- (9.79 mi) The White Monk Refectory & Tearoom
- (7.05 mi) Cumberland Inn
- (7.97 mi) The Golden Lion