Allenheads - Circa 1990

Killhope Lead mine – building and water wheel.

Work started on the Horse Level of Park Level Mine in 1853 and closed around 1910. For a few short years in the 1870s, the mine at Killhope was one of the richest in the whole of Britain. To help separate out the lead ore from waste, Park Level Mill with its giant waterwheel was built in the late 1870s. At the time this waterwheel was one of many in the area – today it’s one of just two surviving William Armstrong (of Cragside) waterwheels.

Restoration of Killhope started in 1980 and today it is the most complete lead mining museum site in Britain.