With extensive, unspoilt views looking out over the beautiful Rea Brook valley, this site is a very important part of Shropshire’s industrial heritage and is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Snailbeach Lead Mine is the most complete collection of mine building remains in England.
This large site also includes pools, a small reservoir and areas of woodland for visitors to explore on a warren of paths and trails.
Parking and toilets are available at Snailbeach Village Hall car park – a donation is requested.
There is one accessible parking bay at the top of the lane by the museum. View map
There is a bus service from Shrewsbury through Snailbeach.
To find the best way of getting to (or near to) the site by public transport please follow this link
Snailbeach Lead Mine is open year-round, with a visitor centre operating Sundays and bank holidays from June to October (11am–4pm).
Take a guided tour through the old mine tunnels with Shropshire Mines Trust and discover how miners once worked deep beneath the hills.Tours are conducted by Shropshire Mines Trust.
Visit the most complete collection of lead mine buildings in England, including restored shafts, engine houses, and blacksmith shops.
Follow trails through woodland and pools, or head out onto the Stiperstones and The Hollies, passing old miners’ cottages at Blakemoorgate along the way.
Snailbeach was once one of the world’s most productive lead mines. Today, it’s a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the most complete set of mine buildings in England. Restoration projects have preserved iconic structures like the Cornish Engine House and Winding Engine House, offering a glimpse into Shropshire’s industrial past.
The site is also rich in wildlife, supporting rare bats, dormice, and insects within its unique mosaic of habitats. As part of the Stiperstones SSSI, it’s a gateway to stunning landscapes and nature reserves. Managed by Shropshire Council and Shropshire Mines Trust, Snailbeach combines heritage, biodiversity, and breathtaking views, a true hidden gem.
The site is part of the Stiperstones Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The variety of habitat along with the areas of spoil from mining have given rise to a valuable and unusual mosaic that supports a range of rare insects, butterflies and moths such as the Grayling butterfly which relies on the network of mine sites covering this part of the Stiperstones.
Snailbeach is also a gateway to the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve and other nature reserves close by such as The Hollies.
There are opportunities for people to get actively involved, participating in volunteering activities to conserve the historical built heritage through Shropshire Mines Trust.
