Regenerative Tourism

Leaving it better than we found it

When Mark Weir reopened Honister in 1996, he didn't just want to preserve the place. He wanted to hand it on in better shape than he found it. That principle still runs through everything we do.

Retaining beauty

We run weekly litter-picks across our site and the surrounding routes.

Educating visitors

Actively educate visitors on responsible tourism. "Leave no trace" isn't optional.

Taking responsibility

We prove, every day, that heritage, adventure and environmental responsibility can sit in the same place.

Our commitments

We're committed to tourism that protects the Lake District environment, enhances it where we can, and supports the local economy and community at the same time. None of that is decorative. It's how this place keeps going.

Heavy machinery with bright work lights operating at night in a underground quarry or mine, with rocky walls and debris visible around the equipment.

Commitment #1

Reducing our carbon footprint

As England's last working slate mine, we operate in a remote, rugged landscape. Unlike most attractions, we're completely off-grid for both water and electricity. That comes with challenges. It also keeps us honest.

We've invested in state-of-the-art low-emission power generators that have already cut our diesel consumption significantly – quieter, cleaner, more sustainable. Our water? Drawn straight from the runoff from the mountains around us. The mountain provides.

Visit the slate shop

Modern kitchen interior with teal blue cabinetry, wood beam ceiling with recessed lighting, a central island with dark wood grain base and teal countertop, brass handles, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to an outdoor garden courtyard with stone walls and vegetation.

Commitment #2

Zero waste, by design

At Honister, nothing gets thrown away. Every piece of slate that leaves this mine has a purpose.

Large blocks become high-quality building materials – on rooftops, floors and landscapes across the UK. Smaller offcuts get crafted into gifts, homeware and bespoke commissions in our on-site shop (and at honisterslate.com).

Slate chippings become paths, driveways and landscaping projects. UK shipping on bulk bags is free. Even the slate dust gets collected and used for pathways. We've run this closed-loop system for over 25 years. It works.

Person wearing sunglasses and pink puffy jacket with safety harness laughing enthusiastically at outdoor adventure activity, surrounded by other participants and someone in an orange helmet.

Commitment #3

Supporting local

Honister is more than an attraction. It's a hub for Cumbrian businesses – suppliers, producers, artisans.

The café serves locally sourced meats and dairy from independent Cumbrian producers. Lower food miles. Better food. Local farmers supported.

The visitor centre shop stocks handcrafted goods from local makers, so visitors take a real piece of Cumbria home, and traditional skills stay alive.

We also partner with local accommodation providers, giving their guests exclusive discounts on our experiences. They get more to offer; we get more visitors; the local economy gets stronger. Everyone wins.

When you choose Honister, you're directly investing in the local businesses and traditional industries that make Cumbria what it is.

Mountain landscape with a cable car ascending a steep grassy slope toward rocky peaks, with a winding stream visible in the valley and clear blue sky above

Commitment #4

Protecting the landscape and wildlife

Honister sits inside a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). That's a responsibility, not a tagline. The flora and fauna on Honister Crag are unique, and they need looking after.

We work closely with Natural England to make sure our land management protects this fragile ecosystem. Our team monitors and maintains the area regularly, making sure the mine's presence supports the environment instead of disrupting it.

Person wearing an orange climbing helmet and sunglasses raising their arm in celebration while surrounded by smiling group members at an outdoor adventure activity site.

You're part of it now

Every visit to Honister contributes. Exploring the mine, walking across the Infinity Bridge, or just stopping for a coffee, your visit supports sustainable practices, local businesses and the preservation of traditional skills that almost vanished.

For nearly 400 years, Honister has been at the heart of this landscape, with the right approach, it'll be here for another 400.

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