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Swandale Lead Mine

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessDogs welcome

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦69+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Lapwing and Red Grouse (scotica)
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Lapwing, Red Grouse (scotica), Meadow Pipit +66 more · last seen 2025; Upland heathland — red grouse, merlin and short-eared owl

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Lapwing, Red Grouse (scotica), Meadow Pipit +66 more · last seen 2025; Upland heathland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Early Bumblebee +36 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Petty Whin, Bell Heather, Marsh Thistle +8 more · last seen 2024

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby · 9 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Lead Mining TrailWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Way of LightWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Blanchland GeotrailWalking route5.6 km
Named routeLength 5.6 kmRound tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route C2CCycling route

C2C off-road sections - no longer NCN

Named routeRef C2CRegional cycle route
National Byway (County Durham and Northumberland)Cycling route

The National Byway route through County Durham and Northumberland

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Route 7Cycling route
Named routeRef 7National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route24 km
Named routeRef 7Length 24 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route11.5 km
Named routeRef 7Length 11.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Sea to Sea routeMountain bike route

The UK's most popular challenge cycle route, travelling 136 miles between the Irish Sea and the North Sea, from Cumbria to Tyneside via the northern Lake District and the Pennines

Named routeRef C2CPoint-to-pointRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Disused mine below Swandale Cottage

Disused mine below Swandale Cottage

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