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Boat, bus, private plane or good old fashioned walking – there are so many options when it comes to how you take in the glorious views of the Lake District. Now, there’s another way to see its beautiful sights: by zip line.
After over a decade of planning, Honister Slate Mine will open its epic zip line to the public this Saturday (August 8). And at 1.2km, it’s the longest zip line in England.
To get to the start of the zip line, you have to climb the Via Ferrata Classic and take on a series of sturdy iron rungs, ladders and cables (the same route that miners used to use). At the top, you’re 2,000ft above sea level, then the zipline takes you 1.2km over the slate mine at speeds of up to 65mph. The exhilarating journey lasts just 60 seconds.
It’s been a long journey to this point. The Lake District National Park Authority gave Honister Slate Mine the green light for the attraction last year. Planning permission had been granted prior to that in 2018 but the designs had to go back to the drawing board after a landing post was moved, then resubmitted. Before that, the zip wire had been denied planning permission twice – once in 2011 and a second time in 2012.
Only a small number of people will be able to experience the ride in its first season. If you don’t manage to get a slot, the next chance will be next summer. Tickets start at £109 per person. When it’s not being used by visitors, the line will be used to transport slate down the mountain to the workshop.
Honister Slate Mine briefly shut in 1989 but was reopened as a working mine and adventure site by Mark Weir in 1997. His sons Prentice and Piers Wilkinson Weir, who now run the business, told Cumbria Crack: ‘As we celebrate 30 years since our dad bought Honister, we’re proud to continue building on his vision while looking firmly to the future.
‘This zip wire represents our commitment to investing in Honister, creating unforgettable experiences for our visitors, supporting the local economy and ensuring this incredible place continues to thrive for generations to come.’
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