THE GEM IN SHROPSHIRE'S LOST MINING VILLAGE

The team of volunteers who run it believe it is unique as Britain's only gas-lit visitor centre. And as this picture shows it has some pretty unique and interesting visitors, too. Here are ponies Benji and Simba enjoying a welcome rest while visitors from Cornwall and elsewhere in Shropshire relax over the centre's legendary home-made refreshments outside the Victorian school which has a busy life housing it. Among the early visitors in 2009 were members of the Morgan Three Wheeler Club, pictured below setting off in their splendid vehicles. Robin and Sue Rew came from Banbury in their yellow boat-tailed aero dating from 1932, accompanied by Bob and Audrey Haynes from Widnes in their 1936 model. Today The Bog is a quiet haven at the foot of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve and it is hard to imagine the days when it was a hive of industrial activity. But right here indeed was a busy mining community of typical Shropshire folk, in an isolated spot 1,300 feet above sea level and close to the Welsh border, with a hard-won haul of lead and barytes. Some traces of this lost village survive, including the school building (pictured right) and around it the remains of The Bog's industrial past can be seen, including the Somme Tunnel, the powder magazine, the Miners Arms (now a private house) and the Miners' Institute - though not an amazing aerial ropeway which soared up and away over the hill. And all in a land of lore and legend...and the exploits of Wild Edric. Unmissable.

THESE ARE THE CENTRE'S OPENING DATES FOR 2009:

From April 08 (10am-5pm) for all school holidays and Bank Holiday Mondays, otherwise Wednesday to Sunday each week. For more information phone 01743 792484 or email the Centre.

                                                                                          Shropshire school holidays: Summer term starts Apr 20, half-term May 25-29, term ends July 17.Autumn term starts Sept 08, half-term Oct 26-30, term ends Dec 18

email The Bog Centre here

A BIG WELCOME...AND PLENTY OF EXTRAS

• Local information                                                                      USE THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Toilets                                                     
• Home baking and refreshments                                                                           More South Shropshire ideas here
• Full disability access and facilities                                                                      Guided walking in this area
• Local crafts and produce                                                                                      Bog Mine and other Shropshire mines
• Walking information
• Free parking
• Dogs welcome
• Shuttle bus connections