Mine tours

Adults £17.50 - Kids Go Free with a Paying Adult

Discover the captivating world beneath the rugged landscapes of the Lake District with our Honister Slate Mine Tour.

Nestled along the mountainous Honister Pass amidst the spectacular natural beauty of The Lake District, this tour offers a unique blend of history and adventure suitable for all ages. Come rain or shine, it’s an unforgettable experience the whole family can enjoy. Plus, with Kids Go Free*, making it the perfect family day out in the Lake District!

1.5 hrs

Activity Time

30 mins

Please arrive 30 mins before your activity starts

All-Weather activity

Suitable for all ages

BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE

Available Dates

Select Activity Time

Adults

Children (Under 16)

Children Under 3

What is our Mine Tour

Step into the extraordinary world of the Honister Slate Mine with our immersive Mine Tour, where adventure and history converge to provide an unforgettable and educational experience.

Begin by delving into the geological marvel of the Lake District, where you’ll uncover the secrets of the 450-million-year-old volcanic green slate. Discover the fascinating story of its formation, tracing the rich geological history of this unique region.

As you venture underground, prepare to be enchanted by the mine’s mystical ambience. Our knowledgeable guides will expertly navigate you through a network of passages, leading you deep into the heart of Fleetwith Pike.

Uncover the gripping narrative of the mine, which spans over three and a half centuries. Throughout the tour, you’ll hear tales of young miners and insights into the working history. Brace yourself for an immersive experience that incorporates enhanced reality technology and special effects, including a mock explosion, adding a thrilling dimension to your mine tour.

Emerging from the depths, you’ll find yourself amidst the breathtaking surroundings of Honister Pass. Here, soak in incredible views of the Lake District’s rugged beauty, bringing a spectacular close to your journey.

Embark on a thrilling underground adventure with our Mine Tours, then take your exploration to new heights with Climb the Mine. Delve into the rich history of Honister Slate Mine underground, then ascend to breathtaking views atop the Infinity Bridge.

Amazing mine tour with Chloe. Very informative and great to see the last working slate mine in the UK.

We booked a Mine viist for during our holiday in Keswick. As required we arrived 30 mins prior to our visit time and was met by the trip guide, Peter, who issued us with a free parking pass (normally £5). At the due time we were taken up to the mine entrance in a coach and then followed an excellent and informative tour around the public accessible parts of the old mine. We finished our visit to the mine with an excellent lunch in the Mine cafe.

Amazing place that was recommended to us and didn't disappoint! Mine tour was really interesting from so many aspects, and the views spectacular. Good food, lovely gift shop and very very knowledgeable staff.

A great day out for the whole family - it felt like a real adventure! The drive to Honister was breathtaking. The mine tour was fun and the guide was engaging and informative. I would highly recommend the experience.

Key Information

Adults £17.50, Children £9.50, Family (2A + 2C) £49.00.
Adults 16+, Children age 3-15, Under 3 free! Please select every child’s place when booking.
Kids Go Free on Mine Tours: *For a limited time, for each full-paying adult, get one free child place (age 3 – 16). Not available in conjunction with any other offer. See full terms and conditions.
Mine tours take approximately 90 minutes and involve uneven terrain.
Descending approximately 50 steps (with a handrail)
The tour includes illuminations and a mock explosion.
Tours operate multiple times every day
Tours take approximately 1.5 hours
Suitable for ALL ages
Please come prepared with warm clothing and sensible footwear – this is a walking tour. Safety helmets and lamps will be provided by Honister on arrival.
If you wish to arrange a private tour, or a specific custom tour to your requirements email bookings@honister.com

Key FAQS

Does the mine have wheelchair access?

We welcome everyone to Honister; however, whilst our activities are designed to be accessible to most people, they do offer a degree of physical and mental challenges.

For some people with additional needs this may mean that additional equipment and/or persons will be required for safe participation, unfortunately due to the terrain and nature of the mountain we cannot permit wheelchair users on our tours as they involved 40 uneven steps.

Our visitor centre is wheelchair friendly and access for all toilet facilities can be found in our café.

If you are unsure or have any questions, please get in touch info@honister.com or 01768777230

How deep is the mine?

Mostly ground level as you go into the mine horizontally, the mines in Honister crag span 10+ miles, created through over 250 years of mining.

Do you have to crawl through the tunnels on a mine tour?

No. our tours are in tunnels that may require a person to bend/stoop for short periods of time & the tour also includes 30/40 steep steps. This is all walkable.

Can I take pictures inside the mine?

Yes. We recommend night setting, with flash enabled, please note video recording is not permitted on the tours.

Is it cold in the mine?

Temperature is a constant 51 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius, please come prepared for the weather.

Good warm jackets, waterproofs and strong footwear are recommended.

Heeled boots/shoes are not suitable to be worn onsite anywhere and open toed shoes/sandals will prohibit participation on any activity.

Honister does have the right to refuse admittance if inappropriate clothing is worn.

Please make your clothing choices appropriate to the weather conditions!

We are in a very remote location and failure to come equipped may affect your experience at Honister!

Please remember it is always much cooler in the mountains than down at sea-level.