The abandoned Copper Mines of Alderley Edge 

The Derbyshire caving club Website www.derbyscc.org.uk

Its brad from the caving club just wanted to say great job on the video martin 👍

Far better than any crappy TV show 👍👍

Wow... Well done to the Caving Club.... and exactly when is Martin going to be nominated as Manchester Citizen of the Year?

Hi Martin Thanks a lot from a former member of the Derbyshire Caving Club now living down south, for a chance to remember the fantastic Alderley Edge mines. Engine vein mine is an amazing introduction to the mines and I wholeheartedly recommend that people take the opportunity to visit this and Wood mine during the open weekends. Big shout out to all the DCC members who take time out to give people the opportunity to tour these amazing mine workings with great dedication and knowledge. The history of the area is unbelievable. Wood mine and Brylow are also brilliant mines to visit. The great West mine however is on another level (literally). I strongly recommend you do another video in the West mine as it will blow your mind. I am really happy you enjoyed the trip. Keep the vids coming!

I grew up within walking distance of The Edge in the 1970's. The folklore was well known and Alan Garner is a friend of my Ma's. Thanks for finally showing what is behind those steel doors. As a kid your imagination runs wild...

Another immersive video that I know I will watch again. Content is getting better and better. Thanks for the videos!

I just wanted to say thanks for your Facebook page and RU-vid channel, I have stumbled across them recently and I think your videos are amazing, I love the idea of urban Exploration and photography and checking out the history of places just I don't have the funds to do so myself or the company of a friend to do so, your channel makes it possible to get that fix for now of the adventure and exploration that I long for. So once again thank you 👍🏻

Absolutely amazing. Thank you

Many thanks Martin, you have answered many long standing questions about Alderley Edge mining. About 1952 as a youth, with friends, I used to cycle out to explore the mines......no doors then.

Wow. I'm speechless. I can't even make a proper comment. I have to watch this again later just to be able to take it all in. You've really outdone yourself this time Martin. Cheers!

Was a fan of the Alan Garner books when I was a kid. He came to our school to give a talk. Brilliant video. Bet you were exhausted after filming that.

Thanks Martin the last time I saw that cave was 56 years ago when I was 14. I'm now living in Western Australia and yes I found a ginormous cave system inside Yanchep National Park so if you ever come this way give me a shout and I will show you around and thanks for the update 👍

Great. Brought back memories of walking all around Alderley Edge and also of reading The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.

Martin.. you just get more amazing...why aren't you on tv doing this and getting paid wads. As ever absolutely BRILLIANT! well done. those colours in that grotto wiped me out. magical. keep up the great work.

best guided tour any one could ever have .

Walked the 'Edge' many a time, knew there was caves down below and this video, WOW! Thank you Martin and the lads for doing this!

many happy hours as a kid in the 1970s with my bike lamp.tunnels look bigger than i remember now.

Another fantastic, interesting video brought to us. I am grateful to your friends for inviting you to record a video in the copper mine. Well done to John & his son Brad for passing on their knowledge to you. Just don't forget your wellies next time!

Thumbs up just doesn't do this video justice. Amazing, beautiful, thrilling. I'm grateful you did it for us, thanks.

Really appreciating this non-sensationalist style of exploration video. Keep em coming!

you have so much facinating old history in England, thank you for all your videos.. 😷🇨🇦😀

well martin that was something else bloody wonderful you done very well martin with the ladders and the depth you went all for us to enjoy thank you so much and all the very best to you and the team that shared it with us all cheers from trev and christine have a great week martin thanks

You know, Martin, I was having a right depressing day until I watched another youtube video about a natural nuclear reactor from 1.8 billion yesrs ago ... and *your Alderley Edge videos!!!* from 3 years ago. Took me right back to my younger days!! I loved those books by Alan Garner and I might just pick them up again if I can get hold of them. Cheered me right up!! God bless you!!👍👍👍

Another incredible video Martin. Thanks for taking the trouble to go and film this for us all , cheers 🧱👍🏼

unbelievable. Like journey to the centre of the earth. THANK YOUY ALL VERY MUCH

Whoa! blumin' eck, what an amazing place Martin , just a remarkable amount of hard labour used to dig those tunnels, shafts and to extract the copper ore . I don't really think I could hack being in such a confined space with all that rock above, but thanks for taking us on this incredible journey underground, a really interesting insight into what lies beneath Alderley Edge. I suspect a lot of people don't even know the mines exist, including myself. FANTASTIC , Thank You , we really appreciate all the effort you put into your videos

Phenomenal amounts of labour we're seeing rep'd there, isn't it? And they had later tnt and iron and steel tools. Makes one marvel at Roman era labours. Calls to mind the immense vertical shafts found on Giza plateau even older than Roman era. Awesome.

Thanks once again Martin and Derbyshire Caving Club for taking us to new places - fantastic! 😁👍🏻

Hi Martin. I'm 61 and as a 9 yr old our teacher read us The Wierdstone Of B in instalments. I was absolutely rivetted. In The Earldelving there was a bit where they had to wriggle along and the tunnel went over and back on itself and they had to push their bags ahead of them. It was a point of no return move. It has defined my limit of claustrophobia ever since. Thanks for the tour.

Thank you Martin, great to share your experience over dinner with my son. Love to visit those mines. Great stuff :)

Spent many days in the summer as a child over a number of years exploring these cave such fun, Engine Vein, and Woodmine, on the opposite side of the road to Engine Vein, spent many hours at a time down there.

as a teenager in the 70s I was a part of the Waterways recovery group canal restoration, as a side gig we went a couple of times to help dig out some of the tunnels in the west mine nice to see the good work is still going on

As a fan of Alan Garner, from the age of ten, to a massive fan of Alderley Edge and the mines. Respect to the Derbyshire Cavers. I have done Engine Vein and Wood Mine. Still need to do the others (one day). Great footage Martin 😁

Incredible. Somehow I can’t believe that the tour you got would be the tour given to the general public. Truly beautiful. Thank you for the tour 👍🐝⛏🔦😉

Another stunning video Martin. Your content just keeps getting bigger and better and the presentation is really professional, while retaining some of the "home-made-ness", if that's a word. The blue effects are beautiful; possibly even enhanced by the torchlight, and well worth the effort and "bottle" it took to make the descent. I'm not particularly interested in Cheshire, mining, or copper, but you have a knack of making stuff fascinating - certainly got me hooked.☺ All the Best, Dougie.

My favorite book like you i read a s a child and still have a copy today i read from time to time. Cheers

I haven't been so fixated on a youtube channel since bald and bankrupt came on the scene last year ....keep up the good work

This brings back some great memories. Toured the Engine Vein mine back in the late 90s. Amazing experience. Alderley Edge was close enough to where we lived that we were able to go there exploring as youngsters. Always holds special memories for me and surrounded with tales of witches, wizards and the like. Was like stepping into another world. That placeis a gem

Fascinating stuff - thank you so much!

Remember reading The Weirdstone of Brazingamen at school. We had a day trip to Alderley Edge. I've made sure to keep visiting ever since. I have been down the mines and seen the Roman section but they don't show you as much as you have seen normally, so thanks for sharing your video. Fascinating place.

Really cool. Industrial archaeology is such an interesting subject. Thanks :)

OMG like you i fell in love with Alderley Edge after the reading The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and years later went on a National Trust working holiday where we had a trip with Derbyshire caving club . The whole area of Alderley Edge is beautiful but Story just weaves with extra magic pure fantasy to all ages . The two great outcomes to this holiday 1) there was a freelance travel columnist who came on the holiday to write and article in which i am mentioned which was published in Telegraph travel supplement 2) we worked closely with National Trust wardens and was visited for a talk on the History and geology by a National trust academic who knew Alen Garner he took my book copy and posted it back personally signed. So this video brings those memories back vividly. Thankyou to all those people and to you Martin again for such fascinating video of places it so easy to pass by or just under our feet.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Thanks.

Wow, that was the best caving video I have seen. Lots of history.

Memories, memories. 50 years ago taking my moped out to the Edge and caving there with a couple of mates. Totally untrained and with totally unsafe equipment

Fantastic, I went there about 1970 on a school trip, teacher fancied himself a geologist, we were more interested in a plum tree down the road, typical 12 year olds, you've nailed it once more Martin, fantastic 👍

First? Had to stop watching a bit of Indy Racing for this .... BUT well worth it! Thanks for uploading

Seeing all that blue copper staining leaching out on to the rockface reminds me that I must get around to changing the washer in our kitchen sink tap! I've been down tin, coal, slate and even the blue john mine, but I've never seen anything quite as spectacular as that. Very impressive. Once again a massive thank you to everyone concerned for creating these amazing adventures and sharing them with us all. I would also like to say that the quality of production and editing is just getting better and better. Really good stuff.

That face carved in the rock, wow !! Google Faughs quarry at Newchurch in pendle. That has a carved face too

I love that book ! Still got a copy after 40+ years...

I hope your Life Insurance was paid up to date. Awesome video.

Magical the best show in Manchester feet up cup of tea you no your going to be entertained 100% great video Martin 👌

You should have your own TV show? Thanks for the education.

Brill video as always. Credit due to your guide for his knowledge which enhances the whole feel of the video. Thanks for sharing. Proper proper entertainment that is way better than most things on TV.

Respect to you Martin, I could never explore in such confined places. I was groaning throughout. The colours were spectacular ,what a place. I wonder if Alan Garner went in the mines before he wrote the book. So glad you've read it. Another fantastic video exploring these scary places so we don't have to👍👍

nice upload, you can see our house from Stormy point way over to the East, it was my mates daughter who found the hoard many years ago.

Martin vs ladders

The Weirdstone book captivated me as a child, put me off caving! Robert McFarlanes book Underground also talks about it.

I'm surprised that noone ever think to record some satanic laughs on his smartphone to stealthy play them while at the deepest level and watch the guests faces turn into horror. XD

Tea ☕️ and tunnels with Martin 🕯⛏⬇️😁 loved the video! I've watched a few mine exploring videos in abandoned mines in America never seen the blue copper like that absolutely beautiful thanks for taking us along 👍🏻

And we, the snowflakes of today,moan about how we have to work 40 hours etc .yet kids worked 12 hours plus in that hellhole.and sometimes never got paid.how dare we.

Absolutely mind blowing documentary Martin. Binge watching your channel at the moment and it’s up there with the best

I spent some wonderful years as a member of Derbyshire Caving Club back in the 80's /'90's , happy days!.. I do miss it!..

Wow what a wonderful video and the colours are fantastic and to think these were dug by hand and just basic tools many years ago but now thanks to wonderful volunteers it is now possible to see them, thank you.

Absolutely breathtaking some of them shots of the copper in the grotto

Thank you so much for this amazing video! As a kid growing up in Manchester, a drive out to Alderley Edge was a huge treat - such a magical place, with stories of witches and elementals and Merlin and his soldiers in a deep sleep under the ground there - ready to awaken if needed for battle! As an adult it still holds its magic for me - and now there are these amazing caves, with Roman graffiti! and Victorian candle soot! Thank you so much for this, and to John and Brad of course.

Fantastic , so jealous of you Martin looks awesome , i used to go down all the mines around Alderley when i was a kid , they were all open to the public then but never went down that one Thanks for the tour 👍

Brilliant again Martin. I live near Alderley Edge, but had no real idea of the scale of the mines. The history is also interesting, incredible that organised industry was taking place in the area. Thanks for your efforts.

the weirdstone... wow you just brought back memories

Aww I have always loved the Weird Stone; brilliant book x

Holy Friggin WOW Martin it just gets better and more amazing with you, Cathedral waterway tunnels, train tunnels, Williamson tunnels and now this, you blow us away with one thing and then somehow top it again with something bigger and now this. I cant imagine what your going to Top this with on your history tours, but i`m sure as hell gonna enjoy watching too find out. Mega BIG Thanks too John & Brad of the Derbishire caving club inviting you to share this beauty with us, Cheers ken

I found this fascinating as I live within a stone's throw of two copper mines on Anglesey. Each year I meet up with a descendent of the mines manager who was here in 1830 doing what the Alderley Edge miners did. Well done, Martin.

I saw that smile and thought - you are about to mention the Weirdstone. Haven't read it for years but I am sure I still get that smile when I think about it. I am a bit jealous, I always wanted to get behind those railings.

Brilliant. Ironically and this is beginning to worry me, my latest video that will come out soon, runs through...... Alderley Edge! Fantastic Martin. One thing that occurred to me is that while you had modern LED lighting, the Romans and everybody else who went on to work it, will have had naked lighting which won’t have been anything like as good and then the logistics of it. It must have been terrifying for kids too. I was glued to the whole video. Thanks.

Fantastic to see Alan Garner being talked about. I'm convinced reading that book as a kid boosted my interested in this kinda thing!

Amazing , great exploration , nice old copper mine tour

Martins documentarys are just brilliant so interesting keep up the good work mate ...

Thanks Martin Brilliant Keep Safe Dave

Those pesky councils filling in our copper mines top notch Martin God bless the Victorians like moles you sounded relieved at the end

Am gobsmacked at how stunning it is down there.. I'm a Manchester local and never knew those those mines were there in Alderley edge.. Great video.

When you were at the bottom of the shaft looking at those old bottles we briefly saw what was probably the base of a broken stoneware jar from the old Hartley jam factory in Aintree. Some of the old factory still remains with its lovely architecture including its tall chimney, I used to play around there as a kid. Fascinating video thanks.

The number of times I've been to the Edge but had no idea what lay beneath my feet. Great video, thanks Martin. I was just wondering when the ladders date from.

An incredible expedition into those mines. Sounds almost criminal to think the council backfilled them with waste. Looking down that shaft gave me vertigo. Well done, great video as always.

Thanks Martin for another great video, it's good that we can share your experiences.

amazing , thanks to you all for a great explore .

I remember some time in the 60s looking out from the edge and seeing a Vulcan Bomber cruise past at about eye level. A bit of the cold war you'd not forget. I had no idea there were such extensive workings below my feet! Fantastic Martin. Thanks. And thanks to Derbyshire Caving Club.

Wow! Martin you really did it this time! Keep going mate well appreciated We need this in uncertain times.

Wow, brilliant.. Absolutely fantastic. Thanks for the tour Martin. We used to take our bikes on the train to Alderley Edge in the summer holidays back in the early eighties. You could still get in the caves back then, they've since been shut off with iron bars. I read Alan Garners books while I was living on a boat at Danes moss nr Macclesfield in around 1995, when I got to the bit where they walked through Danes Moss I shuddered a bit. Funnily enough the guy I was towing and living in the boat next to me turned out to be the same guy I'd met when I was last at the edge, we were exploring the big cave and he'd scared the sh*t out of us when we discovered him in there. Apparently he'd been living there for a while. :/ Have you heard the myth about the mods and rockers meeting on Halloween some years ago.. Maybe it was the sixties? It goes something like.. The rockers arrived to find some mods already there.. Just sitting on their scooters looking out over Manchester over the edge.. the rockers took umbridge and pushed them over the edge.. Could be true.. Could be made up.. Who knows. :)

Hey!!! Thanks for this, i came back from New Zealand and did the mine tour. I lived near and enjoyed the edge many times with no knowledge of what was below. It took your video and moving away to appreciate it. Took the tour with my brother in law and nephew... thanks

good lord! youre a braver man than me. Wierdstone is probably my favourite book since reading it when I was 10 yrs old. and terrifying when Susan and Colin are being pursued in the tunnels by the goblins..It is an atmospheric place and I have visited the surface many times! congrats that was epic.

Absolutely mind blowing thinking that this was all dug by hand.

Ah just brilliant video again.👍Not been out to Alderly Edge for years

You're full of surprises Martin well done on entertaining us once again

Wow thanks Martin, just a beautiful site I’m sure the colors are amazing in person. Thanks again!

Thanks for sharing that was one great video 👍

Thank you Martin and to the caving club for a great experience in the copper mine.

Just started reading Alan Garner with my eldest daughter. They were essential reading when I was in junior school. So atmospheric. They did a tv series of several of them but as is often the case, good as it was your imagination fed by the text was better.

Thanks to Martin, John and Brad! Great video and lots of history as I enjoy.

Another great informative Video Martin. I find in comical that Alderley Edge, Cheshire has Derbyshire Caving Club maintain the area. Almost as mad as where I live in Glossop. We have Derbyshire as our county, and County Council, High Peak Borough for local council, TAMESIDE and Glossop NHS, NW ambulance service, Derbyshire constabulary and Fire and rescue and a Stockport postcode