England's longest zip wire has opened at Honister Slate Mine in Cumbria, offering spectacular views of a famous national park. Visitors are led more than 2,000 feet up to the summit before soaring 1,200 metres across from Honister Crag to the valley below.
Experience and pricing
Tickets start from £110 for the 60-second experience, with only a limited number of riders able to go this year. The attraction, set in the Lake District, reaches speeds of up to 65 mph.
History and development
The area housed a historic slate mine for more than a century. The site briefly closed in 1989 but was reopened in 1997 by Mark Weir, who aimed to develop the area as England's last working slate mine and an adventure site. Weir's sons, Prentice and Piers Wilkinson Weir, now run the business.
They told the Cumbria Crack: "As we celebrate 30 years since our dad bought Honister, we're proud to continue building on his vision while looking firmly to the future. This zip wire represents our commitment to investing in Honister, creating unforgettable experiences for our visitors, supporting the local economy and ensuring this incredible place continues to thrive for generations to come."
Other attractions
The zip wire took more than 15 years to develop and will continue to transport slate from the mountain as it was originally intended to do. Another attraction at Honister is The Infinity Bridge - a 190m high-wire bridge suspended between two mountains. Via Ferrata - a 2,000ft semi-vertical ascent - is also available at the site.
