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 newest 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.
Family pride and future vision
Bosses and brothers Prentice and Piers Wilkinson Weir, who look after 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 continue: "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."
Existing attractions and history
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. The zip wire has been 15 years in the making, after bosses first applied for planning permission back in 2011, then again in 2012 - which were both rejected - before being approved in 2018.
From this weekend, August 8, the brand new zip line will be open to the public, and bookings can now be made online. The Honister Aerial Flight costs upwards of £109 per person.
