Findall


Iron Mine
Worked from c1800 to 1877

Jan 1st, 2024 from NMRS by Buddle-Bot

Jul 11th, 2025 by BertyBasset



Forest of Dean
Upper Soudley
51.7916222, -2.503355
SO 6538 1045
Private Land
106m
#12,003


The mine includes several interconnected levels: a cross-measure adit driven for about 320 yards, Level No 2 extending 1860 feet north and 2160 feet south of this adit, Level No 1 at altitude 330 feet spanning 550 feet, and the nearby Brinchcombe Iron Ore Level, an adit 75 yards long. Level No 2 is connected to Level No 3 by an ore-body.

The ventilation chimney created a “sucking” effect by means of an updraft from an enclosed fire, which pulled air through stone-built flues from the deep underground workings, helping to ventilate the mine.

The adit entrance at altitude 300 feet is now collapsed and prone to flooding from January to July. Its location is marked by a strong spring, which resembles a holy well with steps leading down to the water.

There is also a narrow, fenced-off shaft in the nearby woods at NGR SO 6528 1040, described as a crack about 2–3 inches wide and approximately 200 feet deep, situated about 200 yards from and 100 feet above the road junction beside a track



1864-1866 Forest of Dean Iron Co.

The name “Findall” is derived from “find all,” reflecting the presence of both coal and iron in the area. The ventilation system, consisting of a chimney and stone-built flues, likely dates from around 1800. This chimney enclosed a fire which created an updraft, drawing air from deep underground workings to ventilate the mine. The adit entrance, which was open before 1841, served as a drainage level for the nearby Perseverance and possibly Shakemantle Mines. Extensive repairs to the firebox and chimney base were carried out by volunteers in 1975-76.



Access to the Findall Level iron ore workings is via an entrance located in a large scowle hole beneath a chimney. The entrance requires descending a 90-foot rope and a 25-foot ladder. Inside the southeast corner of the scowle, visitors must navigate behind large rocks, ascend a slope, and bear right to a ledge. From here, the first pitch can be climbed unaided, while the second pitch requires a ladder.



Publications (6)

  • Beech p 13
  • Court, Diana and Standing Ian 1979 A Ventilation Furnace on the Findall Iron Mine, Soudley, Forest of Dean
  • GSIA 1979 pp 9 - 15 illus.
  • Mullin p 96
  • Oldham, Tony (1998); Mines of the Forest of Dean; 86 pages
  • Trotter p 69





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