Description:A view of some of the 18th century smelter buildings and Ecton Church, with spoil heaps behind. Ecton Church was probably a 'Navvy' church and built for men working on the construction of the Manifold Valley Railway which opened in July 1904. Behind can be seen the spoil heaps of Ecton copper mine which finally closed a few years earlier in 1889.
Mining was taking place at Ecton in the 17th century and was reputedly the first British mine to use explosives. The Dukes of Devonshire owned most of the mining rights and its heyday was in the late 18th century. The mines finally closed in about 1889 leaving the waste heaps, levels and buildings which can still be seen today.