The fantastic Land of Iron is open for visiting!
What is Land of Iron?
Situated in Skinningrove on the site of the Loftus mine, Land of Iron is an independent museum which celebrates the legacy of ironstone mining and the broader industrial heritage of the region, highlighting its impact on not only the Redcar and Cleveland area but all over the world. The museum features an abundance of fascinating exhibits that tell the story of Cleveland’s first ironstone mine, as well as the lives of the miners who worked in them.
Renovations
Land of Iron has recently re-opened following extensive damage in 2018. The museum was left in need of a complete refurbishment which was enabled by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, Tees Valley Combined Authority and private donations.
This has allowed the museum to not only be repaired but to be expanded, doubling in size with the inclusion of improved displays, artefact and document storage, education and conference suites, offices, a maintenance area and a retail area, providing visitors with much more to enjoy and explore on their journey through time.
Exhibits
Land of Iron’s permanent exhibition includes an interactive walk through the past with photographs, historical artefacts and objects telling the stories of the lives and work of miners and their families, as well as the history of the mine since its initial opening in 1848. Explore the museum to your heart’s content before the guided tour begins, plunging you into the depths of the mines. In the darkness of the tunnels you’ll listen to stories delving further into the rich history of the mine and the experience of working there not only from expert tour guides but from the mine’s “trappy” lad, too. The tour quite literally ends with a blast – one you’ll need to set off yourself just as the miners would have done in the past.
The museum will be adding even more exciting new exhibits over the next two years including the re-opening of the drift tunnel. In the meantime there’s plenty of events hosted across the year for the whole family to enjoy – check out some of their events here!
Admissions/Opening Hours
The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm (last admissions 3pm to ensure enough time to look around the exhibits).
Adults – £10 || Students and Over 60s – £7.50 || Children – £5 || Children (Under 3) – Free
Tickets to the museum are vaild for a year so you can return as many times as you want.
Residents of the Redcar and Cleveland area can receive a 20% discount with proof of residence (e.g. utility bill, council tax, driving licence).
For further information and to book your trip, please visit Land of Iron’s website.
