The last working Slate mine in England, providing a range of handmade quality stone products as well as some of the best adventure activities the UK has to offer. Located at the head of Honister Pass, we offer a variety of indoor and outdoor adventures including Via Ferrata, Canyoning, The Infinity Bridge, Mine Tours, Climb the Mine and more. Nestled in the Lake District, our slate mine offers thrilling activities like abseiling, zip lines, rope bridges, canyoning, alongside serene hiking trails, providing an unforgettable experience. As you explore, don't miss our range of building and garden stone supplies. Transform your outdoor spaces with our selection of stone for walling, aggregates, chippings, tailings, farmhouse flags, and paving.
I did the via Ferrata Extreme. It was a really fun experience and the instructor was really good, but it was not nearly as extreme as I was expecting and definitely could have been harder (coming from someone who is an activity instructor and avid indoor climber). If you're like me then I'd recommend not doing an activity and just going for a nice hike up and around the area as it's really pretty and worth a visit. Big tip if you're doing an activity; don't be afraid to bring a backpack with your phone and water bottle as it's really easy to climb with one, (as long as it can be zipped up). There are lots of food options at the cafe, and good facilities but they aren't able to fill up your water bottle as it's unfiltered water, so bring your own.
We did the via Ferrata Extreme with our instructor Matt. What an unforgettable adventure. We would definitely come again and do something else! Matt explained everything clearly, was reassuring all the time, took lots of pictures of us, helped us during challenging times on the path. Thank you Matt, you were great! Keep up the good work. My advice - book tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Some of the ppl that came the same day were disappointed because everything had been sold out. The facility has a nice gift shop. Parking is free when you have book an activity, otherwise is PS5. Mind that there is no reception there so be prepared in advance. Coffee and food they served were also so yummy and delicious! Well done, Team Honister!
One of the best experiences we've done, from the rope bridge to hiking through part of the mine and then jumping off the bridge, we loved it all. The guides were brilliant and a great laugh, the views were amazing. Would definitely do it again.
Visited July 2024 & had an absolutely great time. We did two activities; the Via Ferrata + Infinity Bridge. These activities are not for the faint hearted or those afraid of heights. Having said that, the safety precautions were of the highest and the two instructors (Connie and Katie) were absolutely great, so if you were using it to overcome an fear I'm sure there is nowhere better to do it. We did the Via Ferrata first (which translates as "iron path"), which is a route that traverses across the rock face and over gullies by means of iron 'steps'. Your journey starts with a drop down the rock face before then traversing, both horizontally and vertically, the cliff face along the course. It includes balancing across an iron beam and crossing a very wobbly iron rope bridge. Obviously, you are clipped on to metal safety ropes at all times but that does not take away the thrill of hanging off a sheer cliff face or walking across a bridge in the air. Some sections are more physically strenuous than others, but all in all it is great fun. The Via Ferrata lasts for about 2 hrs and whilst it was cold to start you soon warm up. You will need to wear a sturdy pair of footwear and clothes according to the weather (they do run the activity in the rain and wind). After the Via Ferrata we did the 'Infinity Bridge' (you do get a, similar, more wobbly bridge crossing on the Via Ferrata) - a huge gully crossing suspended high in the air. You need to allow approx 30 minutes for the activity. Due to the bridge spanning a much longer/wider gully it has more ridged supports that actually make it a less wobbly crossing, but you are higher (possibly?) and more away from the rock face and crossing for longer. Both activities were great fun and the staff were great (very friendly, relaxed and supportive when needed). At the end, there will be the option to buy photos that were taken by the instructors, which you can see on the screens in the cafe as you relax. The food in the cafe (which is open to all visitors) is very good and there are vegan options available too. There is also a very nice arts and crafts shop selling items some with an leaning to the slate heritage of the site. Toilets are also available in this 'base' area too.
Honister slate mine it seems is the last slate mine left in the region. Though I am not sure if the mine is still active or is it active for the sake of targeting the tourists. This place is definitely targeted at tourists and one can see that a large segment of the folks that do arrive here are visiting the mine as a part of their lakes tour. Nonetheless if you got a car and you happen to be nearby this place can have something for you. That could be one trying the mine tour, one just buying tourist items made from slate or at the least one stopping by to have a coffee at their cafe.
We did the mine tour. The Guide was superb. They made us feel very welcome and that we were in safe hands. The tour itself was very informative and was a well balanced very good experience and a real eye opener to mining in days gone by. We were a family with kids of 10 and 12. The kids also enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot. It probably helped that we were in a nice sized smaller group (of 18) - other groups looked bigger.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Gender-neutral toilets
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
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I did the via Ferrata Extreme. It was a really fun experience and the instructor was really good, but it was not nearly as extreme as I was expecting and definitely could have been harder (coming from someone who is an activity instructor and avid indoor climber). If you're like me then I'd recommend not doing an activity and just going for a nice hike up and around the area as it's really pretty and worth a visit. Big tip if you're doing an activity; don't be afraid to bring a backpack with your phone and water bottle as it's really easy to climb with one, (as long as it can be zipped up). There are lots of food options at the cafe, and good facilities but they aren't able to fill up your water bottle as it's unfiltered water, so bring your own.
We did the via Ferrata Extreme with our instructor Matt. What an unforgettable adventure. We would definitely come again and do something else! Matt explained everything clearly, was reassuring all the time, took lots of pictures of us, helped us during challenging times on the path. Thank you Matt, you were great! Keep up the good work. My advice - book tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Some of the ppl that came the same day were disappointed because everything had been sold out. The facility has a nice gift shop. Parking is free when you have book an activity, otherwise is PS5. Mind that there is no reception there so be prepared in advance. Coffee and food they served were also so yummy and delicious! Well done, Team Honister!
One of the best experiences we've done, from the rope bridge to hiking through part of the mine and then jumping off the bridge, we loved it all. The guides were brilliant and a great laugh, the views were amazing. Would definitely do it again.
Visited July 2024 & had an absolutely great time. We did two activities; the Via Ferrata + Infinity Bridge. These activities are not for the faint hearted or those afraid of heights. Having said that, the safety precautions were of the highest and the two instructors (Connie and Katie) were absolutely great, so if you were using it to overcome an fear I'm sure there is nowhere better to do it. We did the Via Ferrata first (which translates as "iron path"), which is a route that traverses across the rock face and over gullies by means of iron 'steps'. Your journey starts with a drop down the rock face before then traversing, both horizontally and vertically, the cliff face along the course. It includes balancing across an iron beam and crossing a very wobbly iron rope bridge. Obviously, you are clipped on to metal safety ropes at all times but that does not take away the thrill of hanging off a sheer cliff face or walking across a bridge in the air. Some sections are more physically strenuous than others, but all in all it is great fun. The Via Ferrata lasts for about 2 hrs and whilst it was cold to start you soon warm up. You will need to wear a sturdy pair of footwear and clothes according to the weather (they do run the activity in the rain and wind). After the Via Ferrata we did the 'Infinity Bridge' (you do get a, similar, more wobbly bridge crossing on the Via Ferrata) - a huge gully crossing suspended high in the air. You need to allow approx 30 minutes for the activity. Due to the bridge spanning a much longer/wider gully it has more ridged supports that actually make it a less wobbly crossing, but you are higher (possibly?) and more away from the rock face and crossing for longer. Both activities were great fun and the staff were great (very friendly, relaxed and supportive when needed). At the end, there will be the option to buy photos that were taken by the instructors, which you can see on the screens in the cafe as you relax. The food in the cafe (which is open to all visitors) is very good and there are vegan options available too. There is also a very nice arts and crafts shop selling items some with an leaning to the slate heritage of the site. Toilets are also available in this 'base' area too.
Honister slate mine it seems is the last slate mine left in the region. Though I am not sure if the mine is still active or is it active for the sake of targeting the tourists. This place is definitely targeted at tourists and one can see that a large segment of the folks that do arrive here are visiting the mine as a part of their lakes tour. Nonetheless if you got a car and you happen to be nearby this place can have something for you. That could be one trying the mine tour, one just buying tourist items made from slate or at the least one stopping by to have a coffee at their cafe.
We did the mine tour. The Guide was superb. They made us feel very welcome and that we were in safe hands. The tour itself was very informative and was a well balanced very good experience and a real eye opener to mining in days gone by. We were a family with kids of 10 and 12. The kids also enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot. It probably helped that we were in a nice sized smaller group (of 18) - other groups looked bigger.
