Bigrigg, situated north of Egremont, has a long history of ore extraction dating back to 1635. Throughout the years, numerous pits have been dug in and around the area, often with various names. Interestingly, while the term ‘Bigrigg mine’ is used in literature, it typically refers to pits with different names but located within the vicinity of Bigrigg village. An 1865 map doesn’t explicitly label a ‘Bigrigg mine’, but marks pits such as William Pit, Hay Pit, and James’s Pit to the south of the village. However, by 1899, a ‘Bigrigg Mine’ is shown in the area of Wyndham pit. Records indicate that a mine labeled ‘Bigrigg’ was abandoned in 1932, but closer inspection reveals it refers to Lord Leconfield’s Croft Pit.

Additionally, there was a Bigrigg Mining company, which operated shafts mainly to the northeast of the village and other areas in west Cumberland. This company was acquired by the Workington Iron & Steel Company during World War I. Evidence suggests that the term ‘Bigrigg mine’ encompasses pits to the south of Bigrigg village, including Croft Pit, Wyndham (or Langhorn) Pit, James’s Pit, William Pit, Hay Pit, and Lady Pit.

Given the extensive history of mining in the area, specimens labeled ‘Bigrigg’ might simply indicate their proximity to the village rather than originating from a specific mine. Specimens from the Bigrigg area are known for their exceptional quality, including clear scalenohedral calcite and ‘Butterfly’ twins often containing manganese mineral inclusions. Fluorite, in the form of pale yellow cubes, has been reported from Langhorn mine. Other minerals such as hausmannite, braunite, pyrolusite, and rhodochrosite are also found, with some ‘manganese’ ore lumps large enough to warrant mining efforts in the 1870s. Kidney-ore examples are also notable in this region.

1875-1932 Lord Leconfield 1935-1943 Barrow Hematite Steel Co. Ltd