This print is of a contemporary illustration showing Red Dell, a fantastic little valley stretching north from Coppermines Valley above the village of Coniston in the Lake District.
 
This area, nestled under the Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam, is a fascinating record of the industrial facet of the Lake District. To this day Coppermines Valley still has a working slate quarry at Brandy Crag. However, this illustration of Red Dell blends the beauty of the area with a remnant of its industrial past – if you look to the top right of the drawing you will see a small blocky feature. This is the remains of The Old Engine Shaft, built in the 1830s, and would have housed a 14 metre diameter water wheel, with the shaft reaching over 400 metres. I highly recommend a visit to www.mineexplorer.org.uk/coniston.htm for more information about this and other mine workings in the area!