Back to The Abandoned Copper Mines of Alderley Edge

[@AmazinglyAwkward]

I was literally saying “wow” throughout the whole video and glad to hear about the Derbyshire Caving Club, my home county! Great video!

[@daftfish99]

The creature in the ‘Watery Abyss’ looked like a frog to me. Another excellent video Martin.

[@MartinZero]

It was, thank you

[@hamshackleton]

@@MartinZero - yes, a frog, but what it lives on is another question! Perhaps it dines on lost cavers!

[@stevenholden9520]

How deep was that and how did the frog get there?

[@davekauffman8727]

Maybe there is a real-life Golem that the character from Lord Of The Rings is based upon!

[@alucardhellsing9640]

squid? :D

[@bongofury3176]

Great coverage Martin. I did a tour of this mine in 2013. I took my RC rock crawler for what I believe was the world's first underground RC rock crawl.

[@ianr]

Liked before viewing! Need I say more! 👍🙂🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Ian

[@bobingram6912]

. . . "now we're in the lower level and by the way it floods down here" - not what you want to hear in a confined space deep underground!!!! Your enthusiasm to bring us this lost history exceeds your desire to run back the way you came!! Thanks go to the cave guys for another fact filled episode, as usual I've learned a lot. Another cracking vid Martin👍🐿

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Bob, yes flooding is bloody scary

[@jenratcliffe7232]

Brilliant video. Scary to think of the conditions for the workers.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jen, yes unimaginable

[@anthonyhoult152]

Morning Martin, so glad I found your channel. This place is just amazing and definitely going to plan a visit to both mines. It's just mind blowing the conditions the men wives and children worked in. Just think that the miners had to buy their own candles from the mine office and quite often the children were not allowed a candle as the saying goes "not worth the candle". Many sayings today come from mining days. Please keep up the brilliant work?👍

[@sharonstuebi8181]

Thank you Martin! I always find myself grinning from ear to ear watching your adventures. I really admire you. Love from Peru. What a great Public service those chaps perform keeping all the curious safe. Pity there isnt a way to mine without poisoning Mother Earth

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Sharon, yes I bet it wasnt so beautiful back in the Victorian times

[@WheelchairWonders]

Definitely not wheelchair accessible Martin... That's why I'm relying on you to make these brilliant videos, so I can experience it too.. Many thanks (Phil - Standish)

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Phil glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@nickrollstuhlfahrerson8659]

I feel you pal.

[@missmerrily4830]

Just stunning. Thank you all so much!

[@dilwyn1]

Bendigedig ... Brilliant, Fantastic!!!! 04:50 a bit of Wales in England!!

[@MartinZero]

Oh yes 👍

[@oddwad6290]

The little spring around 26:40 shows what looks like a " quick condition " where you have sand and water percolating up thru it . Quick sand ! Very Nice !

[@lindamccaughey8800]

Wow again, that was fabulous. Thanks for taking me along just loved it

[@rydermike33]

Fascinating and terrifying in equal measure! Wonderful video Martin. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Mike

[@Odin029]

I really is a treat when I get home and see a new Martin Zero video in my feed. Your videos are so much better than the contrived stuff that passes as documentaries these days.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, really appreciate it 👍

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Words fail me. WOW. WOW. WOW. Thank you very much

[@grannieannie1371]

Wow crazy but incredible. I can't imagine what it must have been like working in those conditions. I'm glad the caving club runs tours so people can actually see what's down there safely. Another amazing video.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Annette yeah you can book anytime

[@stephencleaves]

Great video Martin, I never fail to be amazed at how much was achieved by our predecessors with their basic tools and such harsh conditions. Well done as always, your video's are always worth the wait !

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Steve. Yes unbelievable all that work in darkness

[@trevorwright6165]

well martin we were on the edge of the seats with this film bloody wonderful journey to the centre of the world we loved it and thanks to the great guys who took you there and got you back safe cheers to you all from trev and christine down south

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Trev and Christine. Yes it was quite an underground journey but enjoyable 👍

[@littleianthefirst]

An old pal, no longer with us used to play down wood mine with his brothers and friends in the 1960's, bicycle torches, candles, all of that. ....told me stories about the blue lake, fascinating to finally see it for myself, many thanks x

[@MartinZero]

Thank you glad you enjoyed

[@littleianthefirst]

@@MartinZero I really did buddy, the film revealed it more or less exactly as my pal described it, I lived nearby as a kid but emigrated years back, never thought I would see the old mine of my friend's tales, kudos to you and the Derbyshire club, I scoured the ceiling for my pal's name where all the visitors signed in, ain't found it yet, still looking :)

[@davidmunro1469]

That was so cool . Thank you Martin and team.

[@John48Crocker]

Fascinating footage about an old stamping ground.Thank you!

[@peteypops]

I was taken down a cave system in Derbyshire, 50 Years ago, and crawled through squeezes and all sorts…great fun…but thinking back…mmmmm. Great series, I can’t stop watching

[@richardjellis9186]

Great video again. Thanks for going to places I'd would, 'shit myself' in. Not a chance of getting me down there. Cheers Martin.

[@mauriceupton1474]

Reminds me of going into the old abandoned gold mines on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, it would be scary now, but when we were young it didn't seem to worry us... One of mums relatives, used to swim down to get into the entrance the one of the old mines and come out with the quartz crystals. John Macleod was his name. Once he took my father pig hunting and they brought back a big lump of quartz crystal, dad said the whole adventure was strenuous. This was 50 years ago and John was extremely fit where as my father was, let's say a little on the Porky side, sadly John recently passed away, dad's still going but only just.......Auckland NZ.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Maurice sounds great

[@yankeeclipper4326]

Wow! Cracking Vid, Mate! These mines easily tie the Williamson Tunnels as the coolest place you've shared with us. So much to take in.....and I have to get to work. Starting at 15:49 on your way to the mouse hole you can see the lines and scratches from the picks in the ceiling above, very cool. This was a great explore and kept reminding me of the film The Goonies. You would make an excellent Goonie, Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks I will take that as a compliment 😀👍

[@JW-es5un]

This is a good video. It was so scary 😨😨 to me the deeper down you went.. I got dizzy from you filming over the edge. Here in the United States I have been to several cave systems. But nothing like this.. Mammoth Cave & Ruby Fall are 2 of our favorites. They aren't mines just natural cave systems. Yes I got dizzy & sick in them.. So beautiful but sad to know Men Women & children had to work in those conditions.. Thanks for Sharing..

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Julie, I would love to see those caves near you 👍

[@oddwad6290]

@@MartinZero I think mammoth cave is in Kentucky , but Virginia has several really nice ones like Luray Caverns . Usually an indication the rock is limestone . The acidity in the water dissolves it .

[@retrorambles517]

Fascinating video Extremely difficult to imagine how difficult this job was given the technology of the time and the use of candle and parrafin light

[@gafrers]

Awesome as usual. Great guides as well

[@MartinZero]

Thanks yeah John knows his stuff

[@Tony-xx2vs]

Down Down deeper and Down. Thanks for that Martin really enjoyed following you and Connor on your exploration. Great stuff.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Tony

[@oddwad6290]

The modern civilizations , innovations and warfare evolved from ancient ones because of these early industries . Very nice video 👌 .

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Montie

[@suzysharpe2141]

Once again,... excellent Martin !! I enjoy ALL your videos so much ! Thank you 😀😀.

[@rpm1796]

Great adventure MZ. Fippin Conner.... your my family doppelganger. We're Pattons & Murrays....from Ulster & Perthshire.

[@ralphwest8156]

Wow' didn't know all that was down there Martin' I live just round the corner' ...it's a good job that you were with John, Brad and Chris, especially when you get the realisation of the 'Singing Post' ...beautiful place, fantastic video, thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ralph, yes you definitely need a guide, so many dead ends as well to confuse you

[@Jack-xi8ji]

Love it. Gets all those geological juices flowing again from a degree I studied a lifetime ago. These days there's more value in malachite and azurite as gem stones than as a copper ore. They both have a relatively high concentration of copper in them, but they're just not abundant enough to be viable for modern mining techniques. Thanks again to all that made this great video possible. A big thumbs up from me once again.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jack, yeah the rock formations are amazing

[@scottgibson7534]

Another great look into the past, and hats off to DCC for facilitating this adventure.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Scott

[@whiskeycook3323]

Always a pleasure to see Connor joining you on your adventures. Batman n robin. Dynamic duo😉

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Marie 😀👍

[@TheLowerman]

Super video Martin. Thanks for taking us on a excellent voyage.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@agentbertram4769]

A frog. They get everywhere. Lovely video Martin. Thanks.

[@richieixtar5849]

Another great one mate.. What we called 'muckin' abart' when we were kids and conducted with the lamps off the front of our bikes you've taken into the 21st cent.. love em :D

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Richie, I think a few people went in there with bike lights

[@MarkJT1000]

Fascinating snippets of info from the caving lads, esp about the iron rods for making the holes. That second green waterfall was spectacular. Hard work doing the commando crawl innit. 😃

[@MartinZero]

Yeah hard and dirty 😃

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Ive explored many, many mines, but I've never seen a square shaft before. Irony is, I was bought up near Alderly Edge, but, as a child, had no concept of mine exploration.

[@MartinZero]

Its good that square shaft innit 👍

[@timvisits2900]

Fantastic video Martin thanks for sharing 😃

[@John_C999]

Fab video Martin it never ceases to amaze me the places human kind get to. I had my breath held when you were squeezing through that space on your front and the tension in the music, wonderfully edited.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, yep it was a squeeze but I actually enjoyed it

[@laszlofyre845]

A super video guys. made the blood of this old claustrophobe run ice cold. I can't even begin to understand how you can do this as it terrifies the living snot out of me! But I'm glad you can do so and thanks are due to the pair of you and the lads of the DCC. Awesome, to use a much overused word; in this case, appropriately. The critter that made a cameo appearance was a l'il froggy. No such problems for him. This is the only way I will ever experience such places, so cheers'n'beers lads, and part 3 will have to be something special to top this, and no error. Amazing.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Am not a fan of confines spaces but it was fun

[@murlthomas70]

My skin crawled the whole time just watching. I couldn’t do it myself. Thanks for showing us.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Murl, hope you enjoyed it anyway 😃👍

[@murlthomas70]

Of course I did. I wouldn’t have been able to experience it any other way

[@SarahGreen523]

A frog. A really big frog. I wonder if it's blind and uses vibration in the water to find it's prey, or echo location. Such a good explore!! You've shown me things I would never have the guts to go find myself! Cool geology! Way cool to see that underground spring! I've never seen anything like that! Thanks for another great journey!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Sarah, yeah from the Geology to the spring it was incredible

[@kdean9537]

Hi Martin and Connor, really well done video! 👍 I'm a bit claustrophobic & actually felt a bit panicked at times...The Crocodile! Good choice with the music 😊 Thank you, look forward to your next video!...take care!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, yes it was a bit of a challenge in those small holes 😃

[@johorrocks8927]

Not for the faint hearted, I am in awe of this place, those guys are amazing too.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

What a brilliant experience and knowledgeable guides. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼😊

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Marc

[@simonmills9427]

Massive thanks for sharing looking forward to the third mine

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Simon

[@soulfabuk]

Another cracking video Martin. It beggars belief what the poor children of those times will have experienced while growing up!!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah unbelievable Jim

[@timstephenson4520]

Martin another enjoyable video. Just glad the weather in Weardale is very wet at the present time, or i would get nothing done.. Keep up the good work.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Tim, I think thats summer over

[@RM-io7qo]

What an awesome exploration, Martin, lucky man. Take care...

[@MartinZero]

Thank you John

[@bmphillips15]

Loving your work brother it’s inspiring me to start a vlog about marple bridge and Samuel oldknow.

[@MartinZero]

Great stuff ! Thanks and I hope you do 👍

[@lone8869]

Think I will be having nightmares tonight. Absolutely brilliant Martin. My goodness though my heart was in my mouth. Fascinating.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Emily, I must admit looking back its scary 😀

[@ericanderson9664]

Great set of lads, dedicated to keeping history alive. Retired electrician, it took me back to crawling in undercrofts and under floors when I saw you shuffling along Martin. A little spooky when you came out into the night.

[@MartinZero]

Yes Eric, they meet in the evening so everytime we finish its dark 😆

[@justinlodge2475]

Brilliant - we used to visit there on school trips when I was a kid. So interesting to see what was down there - the local legend was that Merlin used to live in caves in the Edge

[@MartinZero]

He did indeed Justin

[@steone77]

Been here many times growing up ....Another sublime video for you well done ....

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@steone77]

@@MartinZero No Problem ..Since childhood, I have peered over most of the bridges in and around Manchester city centre and often wondered where does that tunnel lead to or wouldn't it be fun to walk up that river ...many questions and more all answered by watching your videos many thanks ........ Keep up the good work

[@gingerbread6614]

Thank you for taking us along. Good mine.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@steve30b]

Brilliant video.. was gripped from start to finish.. loved it..

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Steve 👍

[@mikesheldon1957]

Martin in the early 70's I went with my mates to a cave near Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham. The cave was not well known and had a big Steel door at the entrance and was an old Lead mine that was originally started by the Romans to mine the Galena Lead ore. One of my mates was familiar with the old mine workings and we went down with him as our guide with ropes, helmets, waterproofs, lamps and other safety gear. I would bet that the Derbyshire Caving Club have knowledge of that system and it would be worth asking them about it and seeing if its possible to be taken down there to film it. After all these years I can't remember how we got there once we got to the Derby side of Matlock Bath but I do remember its further up on the left hand side of the main A6. The cave system as far as I can remember was huge and in it you can still see the pick and tallow candle marks from the miners during Roman times which was the work of slaves, whats really interesting is when you go into huge open chambers which is where they came across a massive deposit of the lead ore and mined it out and the chamber is what was left behind. They didn't blast the rock away with explosives but drilled holes then used something that expanded in the hole and split the rock, you can see examples of that method while you walk along the passages they made.

[@MartinZero]

Sounds brilliant I will ask John

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

Brilliant and thank you so much for taking us along... and no I will never do that because watching you do the Crocodile was terrifying... amazing stuff Martin and that beautiful waterfall is a national treasure. What an amazing Island we live on!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Michael, the crocodile wasnt so bad 😄

[@chrisspain5411]

Thank you Martin for another amazing episode. We learn more every episode about our city.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed

[@andrewschmitz9707]

That was special and definitely informative. That said,I give you guys credit for a good adventure. Thank you Martin and Connor plus the club of course.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Andrew

[@darrenstouchbury427]

Hello I very enjoy your video mine shaft it's very interesting keep up the good work my friend

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Darren

[@exileinderby51]

Thanks Martin for yet another outstanding video and going into spaces that I couldn't go! I think I commented on your previous one that I wouldn't go there for a gold clock, it would take a kings ransom to get me in this mine. Crawling through that narrow gap put my teeth on edge! Thanks again.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much, it wasnt so bad 😃

[@stevecooper6653]

Wonderful,makes you feel for those who had to work there in nearly pitch black,children who would have been so young 😢THE OBJECT IN THE ABYSS WAS EITHER A 🐸 OR A TOAD.

[@SuperRichhead]

Bringing history to life, another magnificent video, well done to you, Connor and the lads from Derbyshire Caving Club.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Richard

[@garrystacey7018]

Another great and Interesting video thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Garry

[@mistreku]

Brilliant vid, Martin, dunno how I missed it so far! Really enjoyed it! Amazing how old it is and still holding up..

[@kathyoneal2478]

Another wonderful video Martin. I became breathless before you even entered the door to the mine though because I am extremely claustrophobic. I can't even go into a closet it's so bad and to watch you go deeper just about stopped my heart a few times. Please be careful as I can see you enjoy these adventures. XXX

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Kathy, I bet it was a tough watch for you 👍

[@timewareCommunity]

Missed you on Sunday pal...had to watch Corrie with my wife!

[@MartinZero]

Oh no, sorry

[@MegaDirtyberty]

The horror, the horror!!! ;) ;)

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Another fascinating video Martin loved it , thanks 🧱👍🏼

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much guys

[@robdavies7173]

Absolutely incredible but there is no way I would go down there!

[@jonathanlee2972]

I've been enthralled by your posts. Although I don't live in the Manchester area anymore, I still think of it as home. You have opened my eyes (again) as to what an incredible place it is & the incredible people who came before us! My Dad, took me to Alderley Edge**, 50 odd years ago, and I was fascinated by his tales of the copper mines below us. Shortly after, I read The Wierdstone of Brisigamen. Your videos have cemented these 2 memories together. My Mum loved the Hopwood Hall episode (she played there as child). Utterly brilliant upload. I appreciate you could become completely get brassed off with suggestions for videos, but I would highly recommend looking at the Cheesden Valley, Ashworth Valley, Naden Valley area (Rochdale), there are some videos on KZbin about the old mills, nothing about the coal mines. I've got to book this trip with D.C.C. for myself my boy (completing the circle**, I guess) Cheers and Thank You

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Jonathan. thanks for the suggestions I do know that area, kind of 👍

[@garys4756]

The vids just keep getting better, thanks Martin for another piece of local history 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Gary

[@rolfcasparius6972]

Quite an adventure indeed!

[@carolinegray3150]

Amazing seeing the old metal mugs

[@paulbangash4317]

We used to go down the mines at alderley as teenagers. Naughty. Great fun ! 💫

[@nicklowe536]

Amazing nature's beauty

[@MartinZero]

Yes it is 👍

[@steveg4iwr]

A fascinating video. Thanks.

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

What a fantastic location and nicely documented video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it Martin. I have been researching the potential for gold mineralisation in this area and came across a geology report which briefly indicated that it was present as a secondary element in small traces along with silver to the copper they actually mined.

[@MartinZero]

Wow !! You mean there is Gold in them there hills

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

@@MartinZero They mined Copper and Cobalt but there could be traces of gold there as it will form in the mineralised veins. There was also a fascinating gold hoard found in that area too but I'm not sure if the gold came from them hills. It's all interesting stuff.

[@mileshigh1321]

Fascinating place with so much history! I would love to do the tour! John was a real sweetheart lol And i like Brad's mine face paint haha! Big shout out to the white Welly's too! Thanks Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks, yes you can book and go on the tour, yeah Brad painted his face 😆

[@alexwake850]

Simply brilliant!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Alex

[@terryansell6641]

Amazing video thanks to all who helped in the making

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Terry

[@simonrichardson5077]

Great work everyone,thanks

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Simon

[@petemoore6590]

Amazing to see inside this mine, what harsh conditions the workers had to endure. You are braver than me going all that way underground. Great video again Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Pete

[@MRPUD1]

Great video Martin love the exploring respect to the lads from the Caving Team for bringing this little gem back to life good to see Conner # urbex uk with you as well

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much, yep he's back 👍

[@martinstevenson7462]

Well Martin that was another fantastic video with all the information given by the guides and of course yourself you must spend a lot of time researching these for your videos keep up the good work Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Martin

[@bigladjonnyboy397]

Cheers Martin and Connor, another amazing video thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@llessibm]

an absolutely amazing experience - thanks for sharing

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Martin

[@steverpcb]

Different to the mines around here, ours would have a stone pillar left in the middle to support the roof , lots of singing posts but at 45 degrees in the passages. The big mine here has been closed off with steel grills ( constant battle going on, people rip them off, they get replaced), a nearby pub used to hold the keys and sell maps :) The two smaller mines are still open, all 3 mines were hand sawn, no black powder used, stables for horses underground and old cranes used for lifting the huge blocks of Bath Stone.

[@MartinZero]

What Mines were those Steve ?

[@steverpcb]

@@MartinZero The big one is Box mine, the smaller ones are Browns Folly mine and Kingsdown aka the Swan mine kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnvGk5uNd5iAhZI

[@anneforster510]

Thanks for this follow up Martin. Thanks also to the guys showing you and Connor the mine. Those low areas were particularly scary for me. Just watching it made me feel as if the rock was pressing down upon you and me in a virtual way! Reminded me of that cave rescue last year with those boys in Thailand.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Anne, yeah that rescue was very scary

[@rangeroverl322]

Totally amazing Martin thank you

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Steve

[@chrish.8658]

I was one of the kids in the early 70s and we did go down there with bike lamps ,scary thinking about it now .

[@Frightningman]

I used to have a CD of photos taken in the Conistone copper mines by the local caving club. I cannot find it now though, or I would have sent it to you. The colours are fantastic!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Frank appreciate the thought

[@lxPhilxl]

Once again, yet another amazing video! I can't get there myself due to my disablity but this is the next best thing. Thanks Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you am glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@rheingau2011]

Pretty amazing video, loved it! Very interesting to see how the children back then worked, so much more illustrating than just reading books about it.

[@MartinZero]

Yes awful stuff eh Peter

[@MrJaneco84]

Awesome vid again so amazing what they achieved years ago with out the equipment we have today. Oh! And nice to see Conner safety conscious with hard hat on this time. Safety first

[@MartinZero]

Yes Jimmy amazing place. yeah Connor finally got his hat on 😃