Lady Park Wood Mine


Iron Mine

Jan 1st, 2024 from NMRS by Buddle-Bot



Forest of Dean
Staunton
51.828258, -2.658884
SO 5469 1461
Open Access
52m
#11,959


Start at LPWC and head east along the cliff for about a hundred feet until you can’t proceed any further. You’ll find a cave entrance at this point, which is low and about 4 feet tall.

From LPWC, go north along the cliffs for approximately 65 feet, passing two other entrances. You’ll come across an entrance that’s 10 feet wide and 8 feet high, leading to a mined passage that stretches 110 feet. It ends in an unstable area, but there’s a crawlway blocked by loose boulders.

Lady Park Wood Cave (also known as The Stalactite Cave)

Above LPWC, there’s a small mine with a short passage. It begins with a small entrance descending into a chamber, then after fourteen feet, it ascends to a much larger entrance.

Above LPWC, another short mine has a small entrance leading to a chamber measuring thirteen feet wide and two feet high. There’s also a smaller chamber to the left, approximately 6 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall.

Located in the fenced enclosure just above LPWC, mine No. 6 is the largest. It has five entrances leading to a chamber measuring 50 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and 13 feet in height. While there are several crawls branching off, they all terminate shortly or are obstructed with debris. This mine appears to be quite ancient, with a total length of about 350 feet.

This is a shaft that extends 23 feet deep and ends in a closed-off chamber.

A small mine blocked off after a ten-foot passage.

Just outside the enclosure and near the track lies a small mine that descends but is blocked after 10 feet.

Located at NGR SO 5460 1485, this natural passage is situated at the southernmost limit of the cliff face in the wood. It features a large entrance measuring 10 feet by 10 feet, extending for 30 feet with some impressive speleothems at the end.

Starting from LPWC (presumably Lady Park Wood Cave), head east along the cliff for about a hundred feet until reaching a low entrance about 4 feet in height.

From LPWC, follow the cliffs north for about 65 feet, passing two other entrances. An entrance 10 feet wide by 8 feet high leads to a mined passage 110 feet long, ending in a shaky area with a crawl blocked by loose boulders.

Lady Park Wood Cave or The Stalactite Cave.

A short working above LPWC. This consists of a small through mine with a small entrance dipping down to a chamber and ascending again to a larger entrance after fourteen feet.

Another short working above LPWC, featuring a small entrance leading to a chamber thirteen feet wide and two feet high, with a smaller chamber off to the left.

Located in a fenced enclosure just above LPWC, this is the largest mine with five entrances leading to a chamber 50 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 13 feet high. Several crawls lead off but all end shortly or are blocked with fill. Total length is approximately 350 feet.

This is a shaft, 23 feet deep, ending in a blind chamber.

A small mine blocked after ten feet.

Located just outside the enclosure and near the track, this is a small descending mine blocked after 10 feet.

NGR SO 5460 1485: This is located at the southern limit of the cliff face in the wood and appears to be a natural passage. It features a large entrance 10 feet by 10 feet, extending for 30 feet with some nice speleothems at the end.


Publications (1)

  • Oldham, A.D. (2013); Mines of the Forest of Dean and Surrounding Areas; pp. 32





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