Jul 2025
Jul 2025
Gold Mines in the UK
By StoneX Bullion
When you picture a gold-producing nation, the UK probably doesn’t come to mind. But the nation has a rich history of gold mining that spans across Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. In this article, we explore the UK’s history of gold mining, operational and abandoned gold mines, and popular spots for gold prospecting today.
History of gold mining in the UK
Gold mining in the UK dates back more than 2,000 years. Let’s take a look at the history of gold mining in the UK throughout the ages.
Roman era
The first significant gold mining operations in the UK were carried out during the Roman occupation. The most famous example is the Dolaucothi Gold Mines in Carmarthenshire, Wales, where archeological evidence shows the use of aqueducts, water wheels, and extensive underground tunnels to extract gold. Roman gold was mainly used for coinage, jewellery, and ceremonial items.
Medieval to early modern period
Gold mining continued after the Roman era, especially in Scotland and Ireland, where naturally occurring gold attracted prospectors from across Europe.
The 16th century saw increased gold mining activity, often referred to as the Scottish Gold Rush. This mostly revolved around the Leadhills-Wanlockheald Gold Belt in the Southern Uplands, although the quantities of gold found were modest by global standards.
Decline and re-emergence of gold mines in the UK
Gold mining in the UK gradually declined over the centuries as easily accessible deposits were exhausted. Once the richest seams were depleted, many operations became commercially unviable as extraction was more complex and costly. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large-scale mining operations had mostly ended.
That said, there has been renewed interest in UK gold exploration in recent decades. This is driven by technological advances that allow for more efficient and precise extraction, and higher gold prices in global markets, that make smaller-scale operations more economically viable.
Read More: How is Gold Formed and Where Does it Come From?
Are there any gold deposits in the UK?
Yes, there are gold deposits in the UK, although they’re modest compared to major producers like Australia or the United States.
In England, ancient rock formations in Devon, Cornwall and the Lake District are known to contain quartz and calcite veins where small amounts of gold occur. Historic finds include a nugget discovered in Carnon Valley, Cornwall in 1808, which now sits in the Royal Cornwall Museum. More recently, a £4,000 nugget was found by a metal detectorist in Westward Ho!, Devon.
In Scotland, gold has been mined for more than 2,500 years. Notable sites include Crawford, where mining began in the early 1500s, and Kildonan, which experienced a brief gold rush in 1868 when the Duke of Sutherland opened the area for prospecting. In 2018, the so-called Douglas Nugget, worth an estimated £50,000, was discovered in a Scottish river (although its exact location remains undisclosed!)
In Wales, the Dolgellau Gold Belt has been the UK’s most productive region since 1861, and mines like Clogau and Gwynfynydd still produce small amounts of gold today. Welsh gold is especially significant in the UK, since it has traditionally been used in Royal Family wedding rings since 1924. It’s also some of the rarest gold in the world and can command a premium over other gold, even though all gold is technically the same regardless of where it’s found.
Are there any gold mines in the UK?
Yes, there are a few gold mines in the UK.
The most notable is the Cononish Gold Mine in Tyndrym, Scotland, previously owned by Scotgold Resources. The mine produced around 8,500 ounces of gold in 2022, but operations briefly ceased in 2023 after Scotgold entered administration following a lower-than-expected output. The mine has now been purchased and revived by the South African group Acrux Sorting Technology.
The Galantas Gold Corporation operates Ireland’s only working gold mine near Omagh, County Tyrone. First opened in 2007, the site was granted permission in 2015 to expand its underground operations. In 2018, Conroy Gold announced significant finds at its Tullybuck project in County Monaghan.
In Wales, Anglesey Mining has been assessing the potential for renewed mining at the Parys Mountain site, in partnership with QME of Ireland.
Keep Reading: What is Gold Bullion? Definition, Types and Investments
Abandoned gold mines in the UK
Even though the UK’s history of gold mining is relatively minimal, it has left behind a number of abandoned gold mines that still attract interest from prospectors. Below are some abandoned gold mines in the UK:
- Dolgellau Gold Belt (Wales): Located in Gwynedd, this area was one of the UK’s most productive gold regions in the 19th century. Although the mines are no longer abandoned, exploration work by Alba Mineral Resources has identified gold in undisturbed ground near Bontddu.
- Kildonan (Scotland): The Kildonan goldfields were active during the 19th century and mining eventually stopped once the resource was depleted.
- Bodmin Moor (England): This small-scale mine from the 19th century is part of Cornwall’s long mining history.
- Carron (Scotland): The Carron Valley in central Scotland hosted limited gold mining in the 19th century, producing small quantities from quartz veins before operations were abandoned.
- Edradour Gold Mine (Scotland): Situated in the Cairngorms near the village of Edradour, this mine was never a major producer but did yield some gold from quartz veins. The surrounding streams still occasionally produce gold for modern prospectors.
- North Pennines (England): Small-scale gold mining took place around Alston Moor in the 19th century. The mines are now inactive, but you can still find traces of gold in the region.
- Glendinning (Scotland): The Glendinning mine, near Kirkcudbright, was one of the few commercial gold operations in Scotland during the 19th century. The site was eventually abandoned due to its small output.
Where to find gold in the UK
Gold in the UK is most often found as alluvial gold, which are small flakes or nuggets carried downstream by rivers over time. These particles are released from their source through natural erosion, mining activity, or geological events (i.e. earthquakes). Because gold is so dense, it’s only moved by strong currents, so it often settles into slower-moving sections of rivers like bends, pools, and areas behind large rocks.
The most common method of finding gold in the UK is through gold panning. If you’d like to try your hand at gold panning, you’ll easily find some panning kits and the process is simple to get started. That said, don’t expect to retire any time soon – gold panning in the UK is more of a fun recreational activity than a source of income.
UK rivers where you can pan for gold
Here are some popular spots for gold panning in the UK:
- River Tyne, Northumberland: Both the North and South Tyne tributaries have produced alluvial gold, particularly near Hexham. However, any activity requires permission from the landowners and you should always follow environmental guidelines.
- River Trees, Durham: Gold has been found in tributaries and gravel beds near Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale. Even though large finds are rare here, the area is quite beautiful and has historic connections to mining.
- River Swale, Yorkshire: The River Swale is part of the geological landscape of the North Pennines and occasionally yields gold in small quantities.
- River Eden, Cumbria: Gold deposits in this region are thought to have originated from mineral-rich areas of the Lake District. The best places to search here are the river’s bends and slower-moving stretches.
- River Ythan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: This is one of the most famous rivers for gold panning in the UK, with discoveries including the 121 gram nugget found near Inverurie.
The legalities of gold hunting in the UK
Before you go gold panning, we should note that there are some laws that govern both recreational prospecting and significant gold discoveries. First, you need permission from landowners, since rivers often flow through private property. Some waterways are also subject to environmental protections, so you must take care to not disturb wildlife or habitats.
The Crown Estate, which manages mineral rights in most of the UK, doesn’t officially permit gold panning. Any gold you find and sell is technically in breach of these rules, although enforcement is rare. In Ireland, recreational panning is allowed, but the gold remains state property and can’t be sold without government permission.
If you happen to be lucky and your find goes beyond small flakes or nuggets and qualifies as ‘treasure’ under UK law, then the Treasure Act 1996 and updated Treasure Act 2023 come into play. These laws require anyone who discovers treasure to report it to the local coroner within 14 days. The coroner will decide whether the find meets the legal definition of treasure:
- If it does, you must offer it for sale to a museum at a price determined by the Treasure Valuation Committee
- If no museum buys the treasure, you can keep it.
Remember, failing to follow these procedures can have legal consequences, so make sure you understand the relevant rules before you head out.
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Buy investment-grade gold in the UK
If you’re not the type to go out hunting for gold and prefer an easy and secure way to get your gold purchases, you’re in the right place. At StoneX Bullion, we stock an extensive range of gold coins and gold bullion bars from the world’s most renowned mints.
Whether you’re interested in gold coins from The Royal Mint or PAMP Suisse gold bullion bars, you’ll find it in our range. Browse our precious metals collection and start growing your wealth with the enduring value of gold today.