Situated in the Avon Gorge beside Birkhill Station, the Fireclay Mine is well worth a visit for all but the very young, old or infirm. The experienced guides show you the underground workings, the 300 million year old fossils and describe the life of the fireclay miners.
Tours last approximately an hour and are co-ordinated with the railway timetable.
From its dark passages was dug high quality high alumina fireclay which was formed into bricks which lined the industrial furnaces of Central Scotland. Part of the vast labyrinth dug through the fireclay seam has been opened up to visitors, and you can enjoy a thrilling underground tour of the old workings. Then on into the Mine caverns. The only access to the mine is down a long flight of steps cut into the side of the Gorge. Regrettably at present there is no suitable access for the disabled.