Ecton Copper Mine (Deep Ecton Underground Visit)

The mine was worked in the 1700s and 1800s, for over 60 years by the Dukes of Devonshire. It produced large amounts of copper and provided the Devonshire’s with large profits for many years, which are likely to have contributed to their developments in Buxton and improvements at Chatsworth House. You will be led through the Deep Ecton Level a distance of about 500 metres that was started in 1724 to drain the mine workings that descend from the top of Ecton Hill to see where the copper ore was worked in the large pipe vein and learn how it was mined. You will also visit the large underground chambers, situated at a depth of about 120 metres (400 feet) below the top of the hill, that were excavated to enable the mine to be worked deep below river level. The chambers housed a water balance engine, replaced later by a 30 foot diameter water wheel, used to work pumps that drained the mine workings and a capstan for raising and lowering heavy equipment in the mine. Adjacent to the chambers is the winding shaft, originally equipped with horse gins for winding the ore out of the mine, but these were replaced in 1788 by one of the first steam winding engines, this one built by Boulton and Watt in Birmingham. These workings eventually reached a depth of about 300 metres (1000 feet) below river level though these workings are now flooded but have recently been partially explored by submersibles.

Timings

Sunday 20 September:

1000-1600 Tours running about every hour

Location & directions

GA Cox Study Centre, The Hillocks, Ecton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2AH

Directions:

Parking is at Grid Reference SK 0966,5815 What3Words ///tram.places.introduce. All tours depart from the road-side parking area, not the study centre.

Contact on day:

Martin Long

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

The surface features and engine house are free to visit but underground tours must be pre-booked. These tours are only suitable for persons aged 12 years and over.

Booking contact name:

Martin Long

Booking website:

https://buytickets.at/peakdistrictmineshistoricalsocietyueg/2225873

Booking closes:

18 Sep 2026 06:00 PM

Accessibility details

These tours are only suitable for able-bodied persons aged 12 years and over. Warm clothing and WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR is ESSENTIAL: The temperature underground is 8°c regardless of outdoor conditions. There will be standing water usually about 150mm (6 inches) deep, so wellington boots are required. A hand-held torch will compliment the helmet mounted light provided.

Additional information

Your full name and address must be provided on the day for insurance purposes.

Max number of people:

14

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)

Back to results