If you’re looking for an underground adventure suitable for the untrained, Go Below ticks all the right boxes. We opted for the highest difficulty level with the Xtreme Challenge. Abseils, ziplines, catwalks, ledges, traverses, ladders, and an assisted freefall, plus some steep scrambling. All members of the group (aged 20s to 30s) completed all parts of the challenge with each individual finding a different aspect challenging depending on their particular fears. Everyone agreed this challenge provided each of us with the opportunity to push ourselves without being physically demanding beyond our capabilities.

The environment is damp but not too cold, we were all sufficiently warm with fleeces and waterproof jackets. Once you step into the mine it is dark throughout, with occasional lights to aid the headlamps provided. There are no tight crawl spaces, just a few low ceilings to pass under, and walking around between challenges is fairly easygoing. For safety, you are always attached with a harness and cows-tails to a safety line, which you move around the mine in a one-on, one-off fashion.

One of the main questions we had before doing this trip was about the wellies they recommend to be worn. The water you walk through can vary n depth depending on rainfall, for us the maximum was just under knee height. Waterproof boots are definitely a plus for a comfortable experience, though the members of our group who chose the wellie option did experience more difficulty in some of the climbing. A couple of us chose to gaffa tape our waterproof army boots to our waterproof trousers and we ended up the dryest and more comfortable. One member of the group had less than expected water resistance in their shoes and their overall warmth and comfort suffered for it.

To visit, park at the base carpark (53°03’56.9″N 3°46’34.7″W), from here you will be driven by minibus to the mine site.