England's longest zip wire is set to open to the public this weekend in the Lake District after 15 years of work. The new 1,200-metre zip line is the latest attraction at Honister Slate Mine in Keswick, Cumbria, an adventure destination as well as a working slate mine.
Stretching from the heights of Honister Crag down to the Visitor Centre below, the 1.2km zip line will reach speeds of up to 65mph. The attraction opens on Saturday, August 8, with bookings now available online.
Family pride and future plans
Brothers Prentice and Piers Wilkinson Weir, who run the family business, said: "Today is an incredibly proud day for our family and everyone at Honister. This project has been talked about for many years, so to finally see people taking flight from Honister Crag is a fantastic feeling. It’s the start of an exciting new chapter for the business."
The brothers added: "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. We can’t wait to welcome visitors and share this amazing experience with them."
Planning journey and other activities
The zip wire has been 15 years in the making, after planning permission was first applied for in 2011 and again in 2012, both rejected, before being approved in 2018. Honister already offers activities including climbing through mines, ghost tours, and walking the adrenaline-boosting 'infinity bridge', which was the latest attraction to be added before the zip wire.
The Honister Aerial Flight costs upwards of £109 per person.
