High on the White Peak limestone plateau just 5 minutes' drive from the cottage, Magpie Mine shines in sun or looms on an overcast day. In July, it's surrounded by fields of golden flowers and soft grass, but the signs of hundreds of years of industry remain.
Lead was extracted by mining in the area as far back as the Romans, and Magpie Mine dates from the 17th century. When it closed in 1958 it was Derbshire's last working lead mine. The remains actually cover five mines: Magpie Mine, Dirty Red Soil, Great Red Soil, Maypit and Horsesteps. There has been quite some drama at the mine historically, with the most famous incident the "Magpie Murders" , when rival miners from Maypit set fires that killed 3 workers underground.
An amazing feat was the construction in the C19th of a "sough" drainage channel bored underground from the mine all the way down through the hill to Ashford in the Water, to allow water to escape the mine leaving it dry enough to work. This sough still drains millions of litres each year into the Wye at Ashford.
Nowadays the site is not only historically and scientifically interesting, it's a peaceful and picturesque place to visit on a walk from your car or straight up the hill from Catherine Cottage. Luckily, the Cock & Pullet pub in Sheldon village is a short distance from the site for your refreshments and recuperation!