MSO7475 - Bearland Wood Iron Mine (Monument)

This disused mine was one of the Brendon Hills Iron Ore Company works. Work was started here in 1854 after successful trials. It was closed in the 1880s. The shafts are still visible as earthworks. The mine also had two associated cottages which are still extant. [1-4] The site was one of the Brendon Hills Iron Ore mines. Work started in 1854 after initial research in the 1830s at SS 9747 3575 (Trial pit). New adits sunk to the northwest (SS 9740 3585 and SS 9742 3581) which were very successful. 12,000 tons of brown haematite were brought out and carried to Lanham Hill Mine (MSO7476) by a temporary incline worked by horse whims. The mine was closed in the 1880s. The mine also has two cottages for workers. [2] Other remains include air shaft with chimney (SS 9732 3578). [3] "Pit (disused)" printed on Ordnance Survey Archaeological Division 6 inch map. [6] Mining remains in Bearland Wood are centred at SS 9745 3590 and comprise two adits with attendant spoil heaps, and the site of a third adit, the remains of a building recently exposed by the Exmoor Mines Research Group and believed to be Lethbridge's smelting furnace of the 1840s, and a chimney, flue and shaft constructed to ventilate one of the adits. All now lie within forestry plantations. Surveyed with EDM and GPS as part of the RCHME Exmoor Project. [9-11] SS 9734 3577. Ventilation flue in Chargot Wood. The ventilation chimney was scheduled on 28 August 2001. [12] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [13] Additional bibliography. [14]