Winsford Rock Salt Mine was opened in 1844 and is the oldest operating mine in the UK.

It is located 150 metres (over 500ft) below the Cheshire Plain and its naturally protective atmosphere stays at a constant 14C (56F) all year round with a humidity band of 60% - 70%.

The Mine produces over a million tonnes of Rock Salt a year and this is primarily used for highway de-icing.

The ‘Room and Pillar’ method of mining has formed a huge network of underground tunnels or roadways with an average height of 8 metres and a width of 20 metres. There are currently over 135 miles of tunnels but this grows daily.

Mining is carried out using a Joy Continuous Miner – one of the largest single Drum Head Mining Machines operating anywhere in the World.