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The tunnel travels from the mine site, under Ridge Lane. A through journey is possible although wellingtons would be a good idea. The track continued through to Dalehouses then into a second tunnel which emerges at Port Mulgrave.
Little remains visible at the actual mine site, although there is a large collapse due to the culverted stream running underneath.
A large block is also visible
But its more fun in the tunnel.
Hi, I have been through the Ridge Lane tunnel, but wondered if the tunnel From Dalehouse to Port Mulgrave is passable, anyone have any info?
Theres an 11 page article about the current state of the tunnel in issue 20 of Cleveland Industrial Heritage Magazine. There a link to them on my links page, they are also available in local libraries to borrow.
Have you also noticed that if you drop down to the stream at the Potash end of the tunnel there’s all kinds of interesting stuff! An axle and wheels from some kind of narrow gauge railway. If you wade across the beck theres also a tunnel entrance which is in a state of near collapse, however you can still see a couple of different passages with a torch. There’s also the exit of a large brick culvert thats still in use.
Visited the site again today whilst on a circular. There is some sort of drift entrance near to the end of the culvert in the woods just as you approach the pit yard area. A concrete or stone building base is nearby, and a few lengths or rail/tramway are lying around. I don’t know if this was one of the main access points for the mine – I cannot recall ever having reading much about this site (even though I have all of Simon’s books!!!).
Simon is currently writing a book about Grinkle.
The drift entrance on the North of the river is a little mysterious, there shouldnt be any working over there at all, it could be a trial.