While lead mining has probably taken place in and around Greenhow Hill from pre-historic times, the scope of this page is the lead mining that has taken place at Low Far Side. For a detailed description of lead mining in Greenhow Hill, the best publication is "British Mining No. 60 The Greenhow Mines" by M.C.Gill. Much of the following is based upon information in that book.
Once the Romans departed Greenhow, there is little evidence of lead mining for the next 1000 years. After the Norman conquest, the Greenhow lead mining areas found their way into monastic lands via grants from the de Mowbray family. The next transfer of these lands took place when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. Ownership then transferred to the Crown who sold them to speculators. These "Mineral Lords" then passed ownership and rights to heirs. The Cock Hill portion of Low Far Side was leased to Messrs Edward Cleaver, William Hutchinson Sr, and William Hutchinson Jr. on 01 November 1782. They drove Cock Hill Level from Brandstone Beck to connect with the Cock Hill Vein which also connected to the Sunside Level. Access to this vein was via 6 mine shafts located at the top of Cock Hill. The Cock Hill Vein was perpetually plagued by difficulties brought on by water levels and various types of sumps were employed in attempts to allow access to miners. By 1890, lead mining on Greenhow Hill was coming to a close. The Cock Hill Vein, however, was mined for fluorspar until about the 1960s.
Adjacent to Low Far Side is the Sam Oon Level which probably dates from the 1600s. This is the earliest known level in Greenhow Hill but was an exploratory level which was never worked. Earlier lead miners probably used surface techniques.
Today the 6 mine shafts have been closed off by the common practice at the time of boarding them over (with wood) and then "turfing" them. The characteristic circular spoil heaps are readily visible.