Monument Type(s):

• ENGINE HOUSE (Early 19th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1800 AD to 1913 AD)
• LEAD MINE (Early 19th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1800 AD to 1913 AD)
• WORKERS VILLAGE (Early 19th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1800 AD to 1913 AD)

Summary

Ritton Castle lead mine and workers village of 19th to 20th century date, comprising mounds of rubble from demolished buildings, a square embanked enclosure with an adjoining small quarry and several associated shallow sunken trackways.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA5173 - 1977-1979, 1981 & 1991 surveys of mines in South Shropshire mining area.
• ESA5698 - Marches Uplands Survey 1991-1999 by Hereford and Worcester County Archaeological Service

Description

Started in 1852, thought to be at the junction of a number of veins. Work 1852-60, 1860-62, 1870-74. Remains of engine house and dams and site of water wheel for dressing floor.
Situated in a small valley south of a line running between the Grit sett and Bog. Eventually small deposits of lead discovered but output for the last quarter of 1856 were only 10 tons. Most notable feature on site is the remains of the 1850s Cornish engine house, whilst higher up in the valley there is a dam of earth across the valley which pounded water for a wheel used on the fressing floor. The absence of mineral spoil at the site emphasises just how barren the mine was. Figure 19 - plan of lead veins in the Shropshire ore-field and figure 20 - surface features remaining at Rotton Castle. <1>

The engine, for winding, pumping and ore crushing was installed in 1859, but sold in 1860. The engine house is ruinous, but the chimney was still standing in the late 1960s. <2>

The earliest large scale Ordnance Survey map published in 1882 shows a small settlement occupying the site [of the adjacent hillfort and ringwork: see PRN 01327]. A pathway is shown linking this settlement to the nearby lead mine to the north, which worked intermittently from 1852 to 1874 .. Apart from mounds of rubble from the demolished buildings, all that remains visible of this settlement is a square embanked enclosure with an adjoining small quarry and several associated shallow sunken trackways <5>

Unit 1: A definite spoil heap of unknown date, seen as an earthwork, and mapped from non-destructive fieldwork. EH Author: FJS Date: 17/03/94. ->

-> Unit2: A probable mine shaft at SO 34410 97820 of unknown date, seen as an earthwork, and mapped from non-destructive fieldwork. EH Author: FJS Date: 17/03/94. <6>

SO 349 980: Ritton Castle Mine lies in a small valley running west from the Bog. Unsuccessful as a lead mine. Engine house dates from the 1850s. Small earth embankment across stream to give head of water for wheel used on dressing floor [<7a>]. ->

-> SO 345 977: NBR transition (NMR (Buildings) Archive). ->

-> The remains of Ritton Castle 19th Century lead Mine were seen centred at SO 3458 9782 and mapped from aerial photographs as part of the RCHME: Marches Uplands Mapping Project. The features recorded could be traced extending for c.700m NE-SW along the slope below Ritton Castle, and comrised spoil heaps, mine shafts and general mining disturbance. <7>

Material mined: Lead. Stapeley. Worked: Abandoned between 1674 and 1900. Visited: 1977, 1991. The engine shaft and chimney are still present, though beginning to collapse. The Engine Shaft is now blocked by farm rubbish, and the other two shafts are waterlogged. Opposite the southernmost shaft are the remains of a substantial stone building of unknown purpose, but obviously associated with the shaft. It has been suggested that this was the waterwheel to drive the winding gear. At the top of the site are the remains of a large dam which may have supplied it with water. To the east of the mine building is a stope head, now collapsed. This was descended in 1961 to a stope 20ft in depth. A rotting carcase prevented further exploration. The level at the mine is blocked by a large fall 15yds in, though the portal is still open. The site is now being overgrown by forestry. <8>

Photographed during aerial survey in 2009. <9>

Additionally, Marches Uplands Survey identified a reservoir as part of this complex. <10>

A lead mine worked during the nineteenth century. The enginehouse and chimney are still fairly intact and in the valley below are the remains of a waterwheel pit. Sketch of enginehouse and chimney. <11>

Identified, and recorded on an IRIS form by Shropshire Caving and Mining Club. These workings are identified as Ritton Castle Mine in operation during the mid 19th century, and for which a number of features are identified. Pumping/winding enginehouse, chimney & flooded Engine shaft SO341977; waterwheel pit & flooded winding shaft SO343975; open trial shaft SO344977; blocked shaft SO345976; open adit SO345978; flooded chimney shaft SO346977 and dam SO345980. <12>

History of Ritton Castle Mine (also known as Ventnor, West Stiperstones and Wentnor) and a description of surface remains, as compiled by the Shropshire Mines Trust circa 1997. <13>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.