Octagon lead smelt mill, Langthwaite, Arkengarthdale. 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. Above, Robin Johnstone is seen standing by the sadly scant remains of the walls of a once impressive eight sided building, the Octagon smelt mill. If Rob had been there in say 1850, he would have been looking out of the door of the Octagon smelt mill. In its early days, Octagon would arguably have been one of the most advanced technological creations of the time. In any event, what a superb piece of industrial archaeology it could have been if only it had been complete today. At right : a picture of Barry Jones, near flue above the Octagon mill. The broad cross-sections of each of the twin flues appear to be adequate to vent several hearths running simultaneously.The picture shows breaks in the twin flues, from Octagon Lead Smelt Mill, before they go under the Langthwaite to Tan Hill road to be joined by the New Mill flue. These flues have broad cross sections when compared with many others which served other smelt mills in the Dales. This could provide physical evidence for a theory that Octagon had six hearths. The extent of the flues cannot be seen from the road or from Octagon Smelt Mill itself. Follow it by going through the C. B. Mill site. You have a long up hill climb and you will see where the flues from the two smelters joined. For more pictures of the flue, see the page about C.B. If you have not got the enegy for the climb or the time to do it, you can see the flue by going away from the smelter mills down the Barnard Castle road. Somewhere near the bottom of the dip, look back and you will see the very long flue snaking up the hill. At the brow of the hill, the flue is lost because of the disturbancecreated by the Chert-stone mines which superseded the work of Octagon lead smelt mill. A little way down the hillside towards the stream from Octagon lead smelter, Rob sat near the entrance to Smelter Level. We believe that the mine which went under the smelt mill did not turn out to be very productive. A little further down again and overlooking the stream is this "crag" of slag. The powder house. Besides Octagon Mill, there was another unusual "multi"-sided building nearby. The powder house can be seen in the field to the left just a little way down the Barnard Castle road. Some Ah. But Stuff: We believe that The New Mill at Langthwaite across the road from the Octagon smelt mill was built in 1823. In 1883, the Octagon closed because New Mill was then adequate to deal with production from the CB mines. In the 1920s, masonry had been removed from the hearths to build cottages in the area. The decay of the Octagon lead smelt mill was seen to begin in the 1930s. Parts collapsed in 1941. The roof was removed in 1944. A picture of 1966 shows the lower walls still intact to above doorway level. There is now very little rubble although there are only foundations left, so sadly confirming that the masonry of this special building was "recycled" elsewhere. Link to the page on the Old Gang Smelt Mill >>>