Blackett-Beaumont family

The Blackett family, later Blackett-Beaumont, held the mineral rights across the Allendale valley in Northumberland from the 1680s, and by the early 19th century their lead mines — later run by the Beaumonts — made Allenheads the most important lead mining centre in Britain, at one point producing a seventh of the UK's total output.

Mines operated