The mine is famously associated with the 'Magpie Mine Curse,' allegedly placed by the widows of miners killed in a dispute with a rival company in the 1830s.
Mining activity here dates back to at least 1740, though the site reached peak production in the 19th century.
The prominent square chimney is one of the very few surviving examples of its type in the UK mining industry.
The site was used to test early pumping technologies, including a water-pressure engine designed to combat deep-level flooding.
The Peak District Mines Historical Society purchased the site in 1961 to prevent it from being cleared for agricultural use.
Magpie Mine is the best-preserved example of a lead mining site in the Peak District, featuring a rare surviving square chimney and a mid-19th-century engine house. Located near the village of Sheldon, the site showcases industrial ruins spanning over 200 years of mining history. It is managed by the Peak District Mines Historical Society. The site remains largely unrestored, retaining its authentic, rugged character as a scheduled ancient monument. Visitors can walk around the exterior of the various shafts, ruins, and stone buildings that define the site's layout. The landscape is characterized by exposed limestone and remnants of subterranean mining infrastructure.
The iconic white-washed square chimney framed against the engine house ruins.
Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, as the ground is uneven, rocky, and can be extremely muddy.
Bring a windproof jacket, as the exposed location on the plateau is subject to significant weather changes.
Stay on marked paths to avoid hidden mine shafts that may still exist in the surrounding grass.
Do not wander off the designated footpaths into the surrounding fields, as unmapped and dangerous historic mine shafts remain in the area.
Open year-round, but access may be restricted during periods of extreme weather or conservation works.
Do not climb on the stone ruins or enter any fenced-off mine workings for safety reasons.
