Hunters Scar is a jet mine, beleived to have been converted for water storage around the time of the First World War. Possibly for the nearby Gribdale Terrace when the Ayton Bank and Ayton Monument ironstone mines were operational.
The mine is accessed via a tight tunnel with a water pipe down the center.
Inside the mine has concrete dividers storing deep pools of water, and a ladder leading vertically into the woodlands above.
The ladders look very unsafe so its best to back track through the tunnel and look for them in the woods.
UPDATE : The woodland in this area has been harvested since my photos were taken and both entrances are now in open land.
Love that last photo. It really needs a speech bubble saying D’OH!
We visited mine October 21st, 2007 The drift appears to be concreted out and in good condition. I am intrigued to know what it was used for, there is also a bricked up tunnel at the end of the drift to the left. As any one got any ideas? Dave.
My understanding is that this was constructed for water treatment by the Fry estate (Cleveland Lodge). It may have been the site of an earlier jet drift but is not connected with the ironstone mines.
I was told that the old jet mine was converted during the first world war years into a small water treatment plant to supply drinking water to the local village. The plant continued to the left of the concrete adit with more settling tanks which has now been flooded and bricked up some years ago.
The original mine had an entrance to the right of the trap-doors and is still open – though requires a good tight crawl to enter.
I have had a lot of trouble finding this place. i’m not to familiar with the area, does anyone have any information on how to get there? or better yet does anyone plan on having a walk in the area/photography sometime soon? if anyone is interested please email me kyle.newtown@yahoo.co.uk
This is easier to find now, the woodland has been harvested and both entrances how have a brand new wooden fence around them easily spotted from the paths.
“The original mine had an entrance to the right of the trap-doors and is still open – though requires a good tight crawl to enter.”
is this still accessible? I didn’t notice it on my last visit. maybe the work in the area has collapsed the entrance? theres a pile of dirt down near the ladders which looks like its blocking off more of the mine. did this connect to the other part of the mine?
Don’t know i’m afraid, not been over this way for a few years now.