Making the Most of the Weather – A Viaduct, Coastal Photography & More Lead Mining History

Today didn’t go exactly to plan, with the weather putting a stop to most of my original ideas. But when conditions aren’t perfect, it’s all about adapting and making the best of the situation. A mix of drone and phone photography allowed me to capture some great locations, from a lesser-known railway viaduct close to home to coastal long-exposure experiments and a return visit to a historic lead mine.

Relly Mill Viaduct

Relly Mill Viaduct is a railway bridge located just southwest of Durham, carrying the East Coast Main Line over the valley of the River Browney. This viaduct forms part of one of the busiest rail routes in the country, used by high-speed passenger services and freight trains transporting goods between London and Edinburgh. While not as widely known as some of the more famous viaducts in the region, it remains a vital part of the national rail infrastructure.

The site itself has an interesting history. It is named after Relly Mill, a long-lost industrial site that once stood nearby. Underneath one of the arches lie the remains of an abutment from the original Bishop Auckland Branch wooden viaduct, which once carried trains along a now-disused route. Although modern developments have changed the landscape, the viaduct still carries echoes of Durham’s rich railway past.

Capturing the viaduct proved a little tricky due to the dense tree cover, but I managed to get a clear shot of an LNER train crossing. The aerial perspective helped show how the viaduct fits into the landscape, with its arches partially hidden by the surrounding woodland. The overcast conditions provided a soft, diffused light that helped to highlight the structure’s details without harsh shadows. Given how well-hidden the viaduct is, it was rewarding to finally document it properly.

Seaham – Coastal Long-Exposure Photography

With strong winds ruling out most drone flights, I headed to the coast to try some long-exposure shots with my phone. Seaham, with its dramatic waves and rugged cliffs, provided the perfect setting to experiment with different photography techniques.

Seaham has a fascinating industrial past, once dominated by coal mining and shipping. The town was built around its port, which was developed in the early 19th century to export coal from County Durham’s collieries. Although the mines have long since closed, their legacy remains in the shape of the town and the surrounding coastline. Today, Seaham is best known for its beaches, maritime history, and the famous sea glass that washes up on its shores, remnants of a long-gone glassworks industry.

The conditions were challenging, with strong winds making it difficult to keep the phone steady. However, the rough seas provided excellent opportunities to experiment with long-exposure shots. By using longer shutter speeds, I was able to create a misty, flowing effect on the water, capturing the movement of the waves in a way that wouldn’t be possible with a standard photo. Each attempt brought small improvements, making this a valuable learning experience. I’ll definitely be returning in different conditions to refine the technique further.

Bollihope Shield Mine

Having visited the nearby mines a few days ago, I wanted to return to Bollihope Shield Mine to capture more details and explore the site from a fresh perspective. This area of the North Pennines is littered with remnants of lead mining, an industry that once dominated the region and shaped the landscape we see today.

Bollihope Shield Mine was one of many smaller operations that contributed to the North East’s lead industry. It was active during the 18th and 19th centuries, extracting galena, the primary ore of lead, which was then processed in nearby smelting mills. Unlike the larger mines, which had extensive infrastructure, Bollihope Shield was likely a smaller-scale operation, supporting a handful of workers who laboured in tough conditions to extract valuable metal from the hills. The remains of the site include spoil heaps, collapsed structures, and faint traces of the old mining workings.

Keeping the drone low and out of the wind, I managed to capture some great aerial shots of the mine, highlighting how the old workings are integrated into the valley. The outlines of the spoil heaps stood out clearly from above, revealing the extent of the mining activity that once took place here. The grey sky and scattered light enhanced the feeling of desolation, reinforcing how remote and exposed these sites are. The visit was a reminder of how industrial history is still visible in the landscape, even long after the mining industry itself has disappeared.

Wrapping Up the Day

Despite the weather causing issues, today turned into a great mix of railway, coastal, and industrial history. Relly Mill Viaduct was a brilliant find, hidden away but still playing an important role in the railway network. Seaham provided the perfect opportunity to push my long-exposure photography skills, while Bollihope Shield Mine was another chance to document the lasting impact of lead mining in the North Pennines. Not the day I originally planned, but still a rewarding one.