N.B. Narrative and pictures are as of the times when the pictures were originally added (mostly 1997 to
2004). In 2021, things may look different; conditions, tracks and rights of way may have changed.
Click on the Home button for more explanation.
Blakethwaite Smelt Mill is towards the head of Gunnerside Gill. We followed the path on the
East of the gill, from Gunnerside village in Swaledale, taking care not to miss the gate at
right, after some few hundred yards. There was no way, at that point, by the gill itself.
At Balekethwaite Mill’s peat store.
John Archbold and Rod Ayres.
c.2002.
Picture taken by Barry Jones.
Blakethwaite mill site,
looking South.
Gunnerside Gill is running down the valley towards Gunnerside.
Below, the peat store is seen beyond the mill. Barry informed me that the metal columns seen
in the mill are the supports for arches which once existed over the hearths.
At the time, some well intentioned attempts to preserve the site, had caused the area to
become littered with burst sand and cement bags, as well as an overturned concrete mixer.
It spoiled the picture on the day but the let’s hope that the work that is going on will greatly
improve the prospects for the mill’s future. That is a difficult task in this remote place with
its often severe winters.
A picture looking down into the
remains of Blakethwaite Mill itself.
Looking towards the upper reaches of
Gunnerside Gill 2004.
John Muir & John Archbold with the relics of
a
mine tub, 1997. Note the flue of Blakethwaite
Mill ascending the hill from right middle of
picture. There is a lime kiln just beyond the
smelt mill.
Made to last! An air receiver tank for
maintaining pressure to pneumatic drills?
Link to page on Braithwaite Mill >>>
Blakethwaite Smelt Mill, Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale.
N.B. Narrative and pictures are as of the times when
the pictures were originally added (mostly 1997 to
2004). In 2021, things may look different; conditions,
tracks and rights of way may have changed.
Click on the Home button for more explanation.
Blakethwaite Smelt Mill is towards the head
of Gunnerside Gill. We followed the path on
the East of the gill from Gunnerside village,
taking care not to miss the gate at a few
hundred yards on the right. There was no
way, at that point, by the gill itself.
At the peat store
John Archbold and Rod
Ayres c.2002, taken by Barry Jones.
Below, two pictures of Blakethwaite mill site,
looking South. Gunnerside Gill is running
away down the valley towards Gunnerside.
Below is a picture looking down into the
remains of Blakethwaite Mill itself. At the
time, some well intentioned attempts to
preserve the site, had caused the area to
become littered with burst sand and cement
bags, as well as an overturned concrete mixer.
It spoiled the picture on the day but the let’s
hope that the work that is going on will
greatly improve the prospects for the mill’s
future. That is a difficult task in this remote
place with its often severe winters.
Looking towards the
upper reaches of Gunnerside Gill in 2004.
Below, John Muir & John Archbold with the
relics of a mine tub, 1997. Note that there is a
lime kiln just beyond the smelt mill.
Made to last! Also in this Gunnerside valley,
an air receiver tank for maintaining and
stabilising pressure to pneumatic drills?
Link to page on Braithwaite Mill >>>
Blakethwaite lead smelt mill near
Gunnerside in Swaledale.
