Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum

Threlkeld Quarry is set just 3 miles East of Keswick in The Lake District. We hadn't planned to visit here but we saw the sign and decided to have a look. Past the houses and up the hill we found the museum but we were not sure as there were just a few cars parked and lots of cranes and excavators dotted about. We wondered over to the building where we were greeted by a a friendly chap who informed of all the things that we could do. There is a great tour of the mine which takes about 45 minutes and you adventure underground into the old lead and copper mine. You can also pan for gold, ride on the train behind their steam loco "Sir Tom" and visit their museum all about the local area and the history of the site. This is also the site of The Vintage Excavator Trust and is home to loads of machines and excavators. It's all well worth a look. We had a fab morning here and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. 
Jump to Excavators on display Jump to And a roller Jump to More excavators Jump to Jibs Jump to More Jump to One with a shovel Jump to And yet more Jump to Little and large Jump to Sir Tom the loco Jump to Sir Tom
Excavators on display

Excavators on display

This was the excavators that we saw on display as we drove to the car park.
And a roller

And a roller

Our boys found this roller and wanted to take it home!!!
More excavators

More excavators

They make such good black and white pictures..
Jibs

Jibs

More

More

We found a path that lead to the quarry and here we found loads more excavators, we could not believe how many were there but my husband and two sons had a wonderful time looking round them all.
One with a shovel

One with a shovel

And yet more

And yet more

One of these they were trying to start and when they did what an impressive machine.
Little and large

Little and large

This really doesn't give you the size of this lorry, it was massive and I really wanted to bring it home with me, whereas my boys wanted to bring home the little roller.
Sir Tom the loco

Sir Tom the loco

As well as the cranes the trip into the mine there is a little railway which runs around the top of the quarry and here you can see their steam loco "Sir Tom" climbing up the hill.
Sir Tom

Sir Tom

All in all a great few hours of fun, going into the mine is great, the tour guide knew so much of the history and made it a good trip, the excavators are just brilliant to see, I think some might say that these people are mad rescuing and restoring these machines but some of them are hugh and seeing the one going and working made it all the better. The museum has loads of information in and is a good read and then there is the ride behind the loco. All in all well worth a visit to keep this museum going...