Honister Slate Mine

Honister Slate Mine operates as the last working slate mine in England, combining active quarrying with guided underground tours through historic tunnels and modern adventure activities including Via Ferrata climbing on the mountainside.

Quarrying operations at Honister began in the late 1600s and the green slate extracted here was used in notable buildings across Britain including the Royal Hospital Chelsea, before the mine closed in 1989 and reopened in 1997.

The mine preserves industrial heritage by demonstrating traditional slate extraction methods and showcasing the significance of slate quarrying to the region's economy, architecture and the development of local communities over three centuries of operation.

The site opens daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at postal code CA12 5XN on Honister Pass, and visitors should bring waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and warm layers as weather conditions change rapidly in this mountain location.

The mine features England's first Via Ferrata climbing system and the Infiniti Bridge, a 1,200-foot (366-meter) rope bridge spanning the mountainside above Honister Pass, often shrouded in mist during crossing experiences.

Location: Cumberland

Address: Honister Pass

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:30-17:00

Phone: +441768777230

Website: http://honister.com

GPS coordinates: 54.51119,-3.19917

Latest update: December 1, 2025 21:43