The Hilton Mine complex is situated on the eastern side of Scordale, approximately 4 km northeast of Hilton village in Cumbria. This mine taps into ore-bearing veins and a wide expanse of associated flats located atop the Melmerby Scar Limestone. Fluorite was found to be more prevalent in stopes developed on lower veins within the Melmerby Scar Limestone than in the upper flats, as noted by Dunham (1990). Initially operated by the London Lead Company for galena from 1824 to 1876, the Hilton Mine, alongside the nearby Murton Mine, was later reopened in 1896. It was subsequently worked by various owners for witherite and baryte until 1919. Despite periods of inactivity, the mine remained under lease until 1963 when it was officially abandoned. The area surrounding the mine is now part of a military firing range, and access availability can be obtained by contacting the Warcop Range Office. The terraced workings visible on the northwest side of the valley belong to the Murton Mine. Access to the Hilton Mine was facilitated by several levels driven into the Melmerby Scar Limestone across the valley to the east of the Murton workings. While fluorite specimens have been sourced from both the Hilton and Murton Mines, it’s the baryte-rich flats in the Dow Scar Level of the Hilton that have yielded most of the notable amber/yellow fluorite the mine is renowned for. It’s important to note that underground collecting is now prohibited, and the remaining uncollapsed workings are in an extremely hazardous state.

1824-1876 London Lead Company 1892-1895 Scordale Lead Mines Syndicate Ltd 1896-1905 Scordale Mining Company 1906-1911 Brough Barytes Co. Ltd 1912-1919 Scordale Barytes Co. Ltd