Spinney Level

[ttxela]

I spent ages on Saturday afternoon looking for this little mine, my copy of COPD (admittedly not the latest version) gave a grid ref. and a description which put it pretty much in the middle of the quarry at the junction between the Via Gellia and the Hopton Road. The description said it was behind the only large hillock...... Well the place is full of hillocks of all sizes and I couldn't find anything looking like an entrance.

I'm sure it's still there as I was talking to someone earlier in the year who recommended it as beeing particularly nice due to the flooded entrance keeping casual visitors out.

The quarry itself looks to have been taken over as a nature reserve. Apparently it's for members only but I didn't see the sign until I was on my way out.....

Any advice how to more easily find the entrance next time I'm in the area would be appreciated, cheers.

 

[paul]

Going up the Via Gellia turn left at Nimblejack Corner (where the Peak District National Park "Millstone" sign is) up the hill towards Brassington/Hopton ignoring the immediate left turn for Middleton-by Wirksworth.

It isn't in a quarry!

Proceed a short distance (300 - 400 mteres?) and there is a small pull-off on the right with about room for a couple of cars with a small ruined building (apparently an old coe). Park here. Facing away from the road head left (uphill) at about the same level as the building, parallel to the road, for a short distance ~50 to ~ 100 metres and you'll see the entrance on the right when facing uphill. It is not far from the road and is at least head-high in height and about a metre across with water usually shin deep to start.

I'm a bit hazy about exact distances despite going up and down the Via Gellia every day on my way to and from work - plus I have only been in Spinney Level a couple of times over 8 years or so ago!

 

[ttxela]

Thanks, I was miles off then as I was on the other side of the road!

 

[Mark-Cal]

It's rather wet in there at the moment as well.
Beyond the roof fall the water is waist deep for a short distance following the recent rainy weather.
Try and find the interesting "Anglo Saxon" inscription as well, I learnt a new swear word !

 

[ttxela]

I'm back up that way in a couple of weeks so will take a look if I get the chance, it's a trip with the wife though so I may not be allowed....

 

[ttxela]

I found it!

Very nice little mine if a little wet at the start.

Just inside the entrance.

The wet part

 

[paul]

Glad you enjoyed it! If you are ever in the area again, it's worth a look in Silver Eye Mine and Gell's Mine which are near Good Luck Mine (which is gated but recently started being set up as a sort of show mine) in the main Via Gellia just down the road from the junction with the Hopton road where Spinney Level is.

 

[AndyF]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

 

[ttxela]

Yes, I hadn't really expected to be in the area, I did think about having a look for Slaley Sough but opted for tea and cake in the mining museum instead......

 

[ttxela]

I did notice on the far side of the shaft near the end what looked like quite a few rope grooves running over the edge. Are these from modern explorers and if so what's down there? Or are they original haulage marks from the old man?

 

[shotlighter]

COD say's it's a blind shaft, if thats any help.
One of those places I've driven past many times & didn't think if was worth the bother. After seeing your photos, next time I'll take a look!

 

[ttxela]

Definitely worth a look 

 

[ttxela]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

Zomjon very kindly showed my daughter and I down Slaley Sough over the weekend, very impressive it is indeed and a good trip!

We also visited Dunsley Spring Level, very nice, a shame about all the glass in the entrance though.

And our old favourite Groaning Tor Level

 

[Big Jim]

We also visited Dunsley Spring Level, very nice, a shame about all the glass in the entrance though.

[/quote]

As soon as I can get Rights of Way team to get that ruddy great big beech tree shifted from the footpath up to Dunsley, then a few of us will be cleaning out the entrance to Dunsley - weve had it planned for ages but dont want to drag bags of crap down to the road through the maze of branches.

 

[paul]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

Zomjon very kindly showed my daughter and I down Slaley Sough over the weekend, very impressive it is indeed and a good trip!

Were you staying at the Orpheus hut last weekend? I recognise you from the photo. I was there Sunday morning. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

 

[ttxela]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

Zomjon very kindly showed my daughter and I down Slaley Sough over the weekend, very impressive it is indeed and a good trip!

Were you staying at the Orpheus hut last weekend? I recognise you from the photo. I was there Sunday morning. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

We were indeed, you weren't the chap microwaving canned chilli for his breakfast were you?  :yucky:

 

[paul]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

Zomjon very kindly showed my daughter and I down Slaley Sough over the weekend, very impressive it is indeed and a good trip!

Were you staying at the Orpheus hut last weekend? I recognise you from the photo. I was there Sunday morning. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

We were indeed, you weren't the chap microwaving canned chilli for his breakfast were you?  :yucky:

Nope. I was the tall one who arrived Sunday morning.

 

[ttxela]

aha, it was good to meet you - even if I didn't know it was you at the time 

 

[Big Jim]

Also try Slayley Sough. Quite extesnive and safe, except for a couple of open shafts in the floor which it would be best not to fall down.

It has a pile of amazing crystals at the end, very impressive.

Zomjon very kindly showed my daughter and I down Slaley Sough over the weekend, very impressive it is indeed and a good trip!

Were you staying at the Orpheus hut last weekend? I recognise you from the photo. I was there Sunday morning. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

We were indeed, you weren't the chap microwaving canned chilli for his breakfast were you?  :yucky:

Nope. I was the tall one who arrived Sunday morning.

You were the tall one?!?!?!  You were sat in your car so how could he tell you were 6'5"? 

I was the other tall one (also 6'5") in the car behind.

Now whats the chance of meeting two 6'5" cavers in one day.

About time there was a tall blokes caving club I reckon who just do trips to nice big yomping streamway caves.  Perhaps BOG FROM ELDON WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US when he eventually sorts out his capslock issues :tease:

Ah the specked hen is kicking in..... Time for bed

 

[Piglet]

Nope. I was the tall one who arrived Sunday morning.

You were the tall one?!?!?!  You were sat in your car so how could he tell you were 6'5"? 

I was the other tall one (also 6'5") in the car behind.

Now whats the chance of meeting two 6'5" cavers in one day.

About time there was a tall blokes caving club I reckon who just do trips to nice big yomping streamway caves.  Perhaps BOG FROM ELDON WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US when he eventually sorts out his capslock issues :tease:

Ah the specked hen is kicking in..... Time for bed

Paul's 6'4" actually, but we have at least one more tall bloke at the Orpheus - Bell is also 6'5", but we don't usually see him very often unless there's a big trip to do or a couple of barrels that need drinking!!