ENGLAND’s longest zip wire has finally opened to visitors after more than 15 years in development.
The new attraction boasts sweeping views of an iconic national park.
Honister Slate Mine, in Cumbria, has revealed a brand new zip wire attraction, said to be England’s longest.
Visitors will now be led more than 2,000 feet up to the summit, before soaring 1,200 metres across from Honister Crag to the valley below.
Set amid sweeping views of the Lake District and reaching speeds of up to 65 mph, the record-breaking ride follows the old Lancaster aerial flight that once carried Honister slate.
For more than a century, the area housed a historic slate mine, built on the foundations of more than 450million year old Westmorland Green slate.
The site briefly closed in 1989 before being reopened in 1997 by Mark Weir, who aimed to develop the area as not only England’s last working slate mine, but also an adventure site.
Weir’s sons, Prentice and Piers Wilkinson Weir, who now run the business, told the Cumbria Crack: “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.”
Taking more than 15 years to develop, the zip wire will also continue to transport slate from the mountain as it was originally intended to do.
Tickets start from £110 for the 60-second experience, although only a limited number of riders will be able to go this year.
Other attractions at Honister include The Infinity Bridge, a 190m high-wire bridge strung between two mountains, and Via Ferrata, a 2,000ft semi-vertical ascent.