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.
To get there, we took the A684 road through Wensleydale, going West
from Wensley through West Witton until we reached a left turn (the B
6160 for West Burton). At West Burton, we turned to the left into the
village proper. West Burton is a pretty village, in the WaldenValley. The
village has a large elongated village green. There was an anti-clockwise
traffic regulation around the green. We went to the end of the village and
took the road to the left. The road is marked as being a cul-de-sac, which
is correct, although it does continue yet for miles. When the road divided
yet again,we took the left fork, then followed the road until it crossed a
bridge over the Walden Beck. Soon after, the well preserved squared
chimney of the smelt mill came into view among trees on the left. Some of
what was only a short flue to the chimney is still there andpoints out the
direction to the where the smelting mill once was, close to the road. The mill building fell long
ago. The stone may have been re-used as we saw no stone remnants at the site of the smelt
mill itself. The foundations could not be seen, but ridges in the ground seemed to indicate
their original position. Many, mostly small, lead mines had operated
in the vicinity. Important mines were Burton Mine and Braithwaite
Mine. In the valley were Conistone Beck Head, Dovescar Moss,
Caldbergh, and on Carleton Moor, Gamersgill mine. Such a large
number of mines was able to support a good rate of input for this
small mill for a number of years. The chimney appeared as if it could
become the most lasting monument of lead mining in the Dales.
Whereas remains of lead mining and smelting in the Dales, are
generally fragile, the Braithwaite chimney is sound and substantial
and has been pointed with good quality mortar to conserve it. The
remains of the flue can be seen at right.
According to the plaque, the Braithwaite Lead Smelt Mill ceased
working in the 1870s.
Link to page on the C.B. Smelt Mill >>>
.
Braithwaite Mill
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.
To get there, we took the A684 road through
Wensleydale, going West
from Wensley through
West Witton until we
reached a left turn (the B
6160 for West Burton). At
West Burton, we turned to
the left into the village
proper. West Burton is a
pretty village, in the
WaldenValley. The village
has a large elongated
village green. There was
an anti-clockwise traffic regulation around the
green. We went to the end of the village and
took the road to the left. The road is marked
as being a cul-de-sac, which is correct,
although it does continue yet for miles. When
the road divided yet again,we took the left
fork, then followed the road until it crossed a
bridge over the Walden Beck. Soon after, the
well preserved squared chimney of the smelt
mill came into view among trees on the left.
Some of what was only a short flue to the
chimney is still there andpoints out the
direction to the where the smelting mill once
was, close to the road. The mill building fell
long ago. The stone may have been re-used as
we saw no stone remnants at the site of the
smelt mill itself. The foundations could not be
seen, but ridges in the ground seemed to
indicate their original position. Many, mostly
small, lead mines had operated in the vicinity.
Important mines were Burton Mine and
Braithwaite Mine. In the valley were
Conistone Beck Head, Dovescar Moss,
Caldbergh, and on Carleton Moor, Gamersgill
mine. Such a large number of mines was able
to support a good rate of input for this small
mill for a number of
years. The chimney
appeared as if it
could become the
most lasting
monument of lead
mining in the Dales.
Whereas remains of
lead mining and
smelting in the Dales,
are generally fragile,
the Braithwaite
chimney is sound and
substantial and has
been pointed with good quality mortar to
conserve it. The then remains of the flue can
be seen at right.
According to
the plaque,
the
Braithwaite
Lead Smelt
Mill ceased
working in the
1870s.
Link to the page on the
C.B. Smelt Mill >>>
.
Braithwaite (Burton) lead smelt
mill, Wensleydale.
