Venture into the Valley With Honister Slate Mine
Explore the delights of the Borrowdale Valley & Honister Slate Mine this summer.
Summer is still here and school is still out. If you’re looking for fun things to do with your little ones, tweens or teenagers over the next couple of weeks, take them on an outdoor adventure that they will remember for years.
The Borrowdale Valley, just three miles south of Keswick is home to the beautiful Derwentwater, with impressive peaks rising around it. Borrowdale includes the National Trust’s first acquisition in the Lake District, Brandlehow Woods, on the lake shore where there are plenty of easy walks you can do.
Travelling along the road, which hugs the edge of Derwentwater, you are treated to beautiful views of the valley, lake and woods. Then enjoy the drama of the Honister Pass with England’s last working slate mine and award-winning adventure attraction Honister Slate Mine perched at the summit.
Test your nerve and maybe even surprise yourself by doing the Via Ferrata climb. The classic route is a thrilling outdoor adventure where you climb the mountain face of Fleetwith Pike using iron rungs in the rock face. Securely clipped into a harness and guide wire at all times, it doesn’t require any previous experience, just a basic level of fitness and a ‘give-it-a-go’ attitude. This is definitely one for the adrenalin junkies, however a highly experienced guide is there at all times to provide tips and encouragement and to ensure all members of the group get the most out of the experience. There is a minimum age of 10 years and height 130cm.
If you haven’t got a head for heights or your little ones are too young yet, the multimedia mine tour might be more for you. Suitable for all ages, the tour is a fascinating mix of video and stories brought to life by your guide. You can also watch the craftsmen working in the slate workshop via viewing windows in the café, which just happens to serve a delicious range of cakes, sandwiches and drinks.
On leaving Honister and descending the pass, enjoy the spectacular views on either side, a breathtaking way to round-off your day of adventure in Borrowdale.
For more details and to book go to www.honister.com.
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