Owners of former Lake District Coppermines have celebrated the 40th anniversary of their rebirth as a sought-after tourist destination.
Philip Johnston told guests bought the former mine buildings in the Copermines Valley, in the foothills of Coniston Old Man in 1983.
“The year before I had been staying round the corner on holiday,” he said.
“I saw all the derelict buildings and thought it would be quite a good idea to do them up. People thought I was mad,” he added.
But the young businessman began the painstaking work of restoring them and transforming them into a holiday destination and venue for events.
The Powerhouse, stables, workshops, copper store and sawmill had tumbled into mere skeletons of what they were during the 300 years of copper extraction.
From the Elizabethan to Victorian ages, men, women and children had employed their engineering prowess to bring prosperity to the region, then part of Lancashire North of the Sands.
But when the ore ran out, the site was abandoned to the elements.
Then Mr Johnston had his vision and put it into action with the help of family, friends and colleagues, many of whom were among the 200 guests at the party on Friday, June 17.
The buildings on the original eight-acre site have been restored, rebuilt and revived. One has become Mr Johnston’s family home.
The others comprise a heritage barn, a wedding barn, catering facilities and four cottages for rent. They sleep 22 in total and can be hired separately or together.
In addition to the Coppermine restoration, Mr Johnston built up a holiday let business based in the Bridge House in the centre of the village. That owns 90 cottages, 50 of them in Coniston.
The firm believes in conservation and sustainability. In 2018, Mr Johnston acquired 65 acres of the Coppermines Valley, which is a Conservation Area, known as Foul Scrow.
Since its acquisition, the level of grazing by animals has been dramatically reduced; allowing hundreds of seedlings of various trees, shrubs and plants to take hold. The aim of the conservation area is to allow and encourage rewilding.
The company said: “In the years to come it is hoped that the Coppermines Conservation Area will provide a template to demonstrate just what can be achieved by allowing and encouraging natural rejuvenation of the land and inspire other landowners.
“The long-term aim is that the area will continue to thrive and flourish and function as a place from which wildlife, the landscape, the community and visitors can all benefit for years to come.”
The party started with a Champagne reception, followed by speeches, including one from guest of honour, Gina Cambell, daughter of speed ace Donald Campbell, who died in a crash in his Bluebird while travelling at more 300mph on Coniston Water in a bid to break his own world water speed record, in 1967.
She paid tribute to Mr Johnston’s contribution to the local tourist trade, before outlining her attempt to get Bluebird back from the man who salvaged it from the bottom of the lake in 2001, so it could be housed in a specially built wing at the Ruskin Museum, a cause Mr Johnston has supported.
There were then guided walks of the site, afternoon tea, an evening meal and dancing to live music.
