Swan Mine, nr Batheaston, Wiltshire
An early start in May to Swan mine, this trip was intended for us to get back up to Wiltshire and get underground. It’d been a while!
An old friend tagged along this time as he was curious as to what we got up to on these long days out! I don’t think he’ll be coming again..!!
We’d not explored Swan Mine (also known as Kingsdown Quarry) before, it’d always been on our list but there was just always something bigger and better to be getting on with in the area.
We were pleasantly surprised. Swan is a fantastic little mine. Perhaps a little more unstable than some of the other mines in the area but plenty of history, quarryman’s tools, horse and cart prints and a superb crane still in situ. There’s even a guestbook for cavers/miners & explorers alike to sign. Charming!
Share
Comments
Important, noteworthy & interesting comments are highlighted below
Leave a comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
The mine is still very accessible, requires a tight squeeze to progress. Make sure you go with people and tell people outside where you’re going.
Does anybody know if it’s still accessible?
AFAIK yes
Yes.. it’s still accessible from opposite the swan pub
Went in here a couple of weeks ago, pretty easy to enter although a couple of the roof falls look quite recent. Still a popular place for an explore as many cavers were in here.
Still open as of November 2018, I went there today. East 1 is still easily accessible, as is The Gulch.
Don’t park in the Swan Inn car park though, You’ll get complained at by the owner
Went in just before Christmas. Easily accessible and a fantastic place to visit. The owner of the pub is fine with you parking there as long as you buy something before you go in (we only bought a coke & a pickled egg) and park the right way round!
Me and a few of my friends went down there today for the second time. It’s a bit dangerous down there now a lot of the tunnels have started collapsing if anyone does decide to go down there just take care on where you step and where you place your hands
Hi there! Would love to check this place out soon could you possibly tell me where I could find the entrance please? Thanks.
Hi Dave there is 2 entrances to get under there and they’re right opposite the pub and there’s a rabbit hole that goes from the mine to a opening on someone’s land it’s a good day out though.
Hi mate do you know of the postcode near here?
I can confirm that the mine is still open as have been today
Hi Simba could you tell me how to get to it?
Does anyone know if this place is still open as keen to explore today?
Hi me and 4 friends wanna go today too
have found location for entrance but unsure if it’s open or not
Your best bet is to just go. Swan has always been “open” and I can’t see it’s changed recently. Even if you can’t get in there’s some great “plan b” locations in the immediate area.
The Urban Explorer, do you know if the entrance is still there?
As far as I’m aware it is, although there’s only one way you’re going to find out for sure, mate.
Would you say it is safe for me to go
No, I wouldn’t say it was safe for anyone to go unless you have experience of being underground, have all the relevant equipment, maps and possibly a guide too. Being in an underground space is serious business.
Ahh ok I’ll give it a miss then. I’m trying to look for some abandoned places in Oxfordshire but not many at all.
Could you please email a little info on the whereabouts please.
Harry, me and a friend went yesterday, can still gain access (15/10/16). Got many pics, was amazing! Finished off with a beer from the pub afterwards.
Great I look forward to seeing any new ones ?
Do you know if it is still possible to access the Midford ammo store/mine?
Hi. Are the entrances to the mine directly opposite the pub? I’m looking on google streetview and cant see anything only a heavy wooded area.
Yeah, that’s the area. You won’t see anything from Streetview.
Hi big baller, we found your name in the signing book :-)
Hi I was trying to access the map but its unavailable.
Apologies Rhys, the link should be fixed now.
This is a nice little mine that’s easy to locate & explore, got around the whole place in about two hours. Take UV torch with you to shine on the Calcite (white bits on walls) makes for some interesting photos.
Hi, lovely pictures, but could a retired girl like me visit the Swan mine where my gt. grandfather was ganger master and also ran the Swan Inn opposite the entrance to the mine up until 1908. I would like to gain a sense of history of the place and have a map of the mine from the Wiltshire Record Office as I am a keen family historian, but I would be too scared to go very far into it. How do you get into it? Do you need permission? Having spent many a family holiday on Kingsdown I had always thought that the entrance was blocked up.
Grateful for any advice.
Jane
Hi Jane, thanks for your comment.
If you have a map you’ll be able to see the entrances on the roadside. I believe I took the EAST1 entrance and exited via the shed. It’s a bit of a squeeze if I remember rightly to get in, but once you’re in there’s plenty of room to walk around. Obviously I’d recommend that you don’t go alone, and always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be out.
If you need any more information or advice, feel free to e-mail me.
Do you need to have caving gear such as hard hat when exploring these quarries? I am a bit of a novice and wondered what the suggested safety gear is.
Generally yes. I know a lot of people who don’t wear hard hats but I always wear one. Also usually have a compass in my bag just in case and two copies of a map in case one gets damaged. Wellies, overalls, torches & at least one spare set of batteries.
Great Pictures! Went in Swan Mine this evening but only about 30ft in, done some light painting images and took a few of the first open area, Definitely going back for some more exploring! Is it advisable to take a map in this mine or is it easy to find your way back out again? I know box mine is very complex but is this one a bit easier to navigate?
Cheers
Mart
Hi Mart,
Swan mine isn’t very big, and you could probably navigate it without a map but I wouldn’t advise going in any mine without a map. The map above isn’t very technical but it’ll help you if you find yourself going round in circles or off the main routes.
If you’re still exploring I’d be absolutely delighted by the chance to join you – I’m based near Bristol. I’m sure you get a lot of requests like this but hope springs eternal!
Hey Seb,
Sorry but I don’t really do meet-ups with complete strangers… my Mum brought me up right! Ha! ;)
But… the good news for you is that there’s LOADS of exploring to be done in your area! Get searching man!