This man from Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Derbyshire, discovered a century-old mine shaft in his garden.

Terry Houghton, 67, bought the land at the back of his house at an auction last year. The field contained an old lead mine shaft 14-metres-deep called Stichen mine.

Footage captured on June 6 shows the top of the mine encased with concrete and covered by a thick safety glass so visitors can take a look a down the hole.

"I set this up because I want to share with the village and wider community a bit of the mining history,’’ Houghton says in the video.

To protect the mine, Houghton also built a tin roof, made temporary walls and top it all with a roof with an organic garden that blends into the scenery in the village.

The mine shaft goes down further but is currently blocked by rubble. Some local cavers have started to clear it to explore further passages which are believed to run to the end of the village and under the pub.

Derbyshire man builds a straw hut over an old lead mine shaft in his garden

Terry Houghton invites visitors to see part of Middleton-by-Wirksworth's lead mining history

Terry Houghton (67) from Middleton-by-Wirksworth in the Derbyshire dales bought the agricultural field at the back of his house last year at auction. The field contained an old lead mine shaft 14 metres deep called Stichen mine which was originally owned & run by WASS & Son, Lea Lead Works, Matlock.

Terry decided to make the top of the mine shaft safe by encasing it with concrete. He also put a thick safety glass top on it you can walk on & an LED light pointing down, so visitors could take a look down the hole.

He didn't stop there, as he decided to build a freestanding tin roof over it to keep it dry & then thought he could make temporary walls using the bales of straw for the highland cattle which live in the main field.

The roof was also made into an organic garden so it will blend into the amazing scenery around the old mining village.
He has agreed for his creation to be part of the Middleton-by-Wirksworth's Open Gardens event being held this weekend so anyone who wishes could visit it & see a part of Derbyshire's old lead mining history.

The mine shaft goes down further, but is currently blocked by rubble. Some local cavers have started to clear it for Terry so that he can see how deep it goes & maybe even explore further passages which are believed to run to the end of the village & under the pub.

Terry said:

"I set this up because I wanted to share with the village & wider community a bit of