Old Gang peat store

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Historical Environment Record No:
MYD36618
Parish:
Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh
OS Grid Reference:
NY975005
Dale:
Swaledale
Related to:

Timeline

Themes

Description

Old Gang peat store MYD36618 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Old Gang peat store MYD36618 (c) YDNPA, 2023

The smelt mill at Old Gang was built in the early years of the 19th century. A huge open-sided peat house, reputed to hold three years’ worth of fuel was built nearby. It is around 119 metres long and 6.4 metres wide separated into 3 bays by two internal stone partition walls. It has stone gables and side walls formed from 36 individual stone piers. It once had a pitched roof extending the length of the structure supported on timber trusses. A trackway leads down to the peat store from the hillside where the peat was cut. A second trackway leads from the peat store to the smelt mill.

Source:

Clough, Robert T (1962) The Lead Smelting Mills of the Yorkshire Dales. Leeds: The Author

Location

From Feetham on the B6270 take the minor road north signposted Langthwaite, (in Arkengarthdale). After about 1.6km ignore the right turn. This is followed shortly by a bend, a cattle grid and and a bridge. About 30 metres past this there is broad metalled track on the left signposted "Bridle Way Only, No vehicles". There is limited roadside parking. Walk about 1.6km along this track and the Peat Store is to the right of the track.

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Gunnerside. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 885 for North Yorkshire information.

Accessibility

There is a gate on the bridle way to prevent vehicles using it but there is no obstruction for walkers. The track is quite stony.