Thanks all - it was one of those walks I'm sure we've all done at some point, within the first half an hour you find yourself regularly spinning 360 degrees to try and absorb all the views with an absolute perfect day for it. You just know you're on for a good day and it definitely was.
Having walked it now, I'm not quite sure why I hadn't done it sooner - it's got some of the most spectacular Lakes vistas (in my opinion) outside of Langdale and loads of parking options.
Richard - definitely time to get out again for another look now you're a Lakes local! The mine did look worth its own visit and it seems to have been left as a bit of a centrepiece of the valley as a homage to the history there, largely intact by the look of it too.
April - thanks, you can never take too many photos. Especially when you need something to cheer you up on those days when you look out of the window in the morning and it's dark and drizzling - in other words, very often lately.
pdstsp - Must admit you had rough luck with the visit, seems the weather took a bit of a turn after last weekend. I very nearly stopped for food there on the way back but ended up grabbing something in Keswick.