SIR FRANCIS LEVEL One
of a number of mines found in Gunnerside Gill, just north of the
village of Gunnerside, Sir Francis Level was first started in 1864 to
reach lead deposits in the Fairfold Vein, a process which was speeded
up with the introduction of compressed air drilling machinery. An adit,
1.4km (almost a mile) long leads to a shaft which was sunk to gain
access to lower levels and contains lift cages and winding equipment
which are in a good state of preservation. A collapse near the entrance
means that access to the mine is via an airshaft part way along the
tunnel. The collapse also means that the water in the tunnel has
backed up and can be up to 1.5m (5 feet) deep depending on the weather. The mine takes it's name from the son of Sir George Denys who drove the level.
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