Lord's Seat - Geology and Mining

Geology and Mining

The predominant surface rocks are the Kirk Stile Formation, composed of laminated mudstone and siltstone. Much of the summit is overlain with peat and there is a fault to the south west, beyond which are greywacke sandstone turbidities of the Loweswater Formation.

There is evidence of historic mining activity on the eastern slopes, particularly below Seat How. Four mines operated in this area:- Ladstock, Rachel Wood, Thornthwaite and Beckstones. Most were abandoned in the 1870s but Thornthwaite and Rachel Wood operated until December 1920. The main yields were lead and zinc ores, in particular galena, blende, cerussite and gossan.