Prosperous lead mine and smelt mill

These are the remains of an old lead smelt mill in Upper Nidderdale. It is a relatively easy and very pleasant walk up there from Pateley Bridge. 
For over 100 years the mill processed lead ore dug from mineral veins that cross the landscape. The ore was heated in the smelt mill to extract the lead which was then sold for profit. By 1904 the site was in ruins.

The large wheel in the foreground is still in place above the old smelt mill shaft.

We took sandwiches to have on the banks of the river  near by. There is a view from above the site in the extras, and a diagram of the old buildings that were once there. The Nidderdale valley is particularly spectacular at this time of year with all the autumn colours .