Whilst up at the lead mines above Grassington, I did take a few more general views as well. The house at Yarnbury was originally built for the Duke of Devonshire's mineral agent in the 1700s. In those days this would have been a busy, noisy area with lots of comings and goings. Now it is quite a remote and peaceful area to live, though probably pretty bleak in winter.
One of the few parts of the site to be fully restored is the flue chimney that extracted poisonous gases from the smelting works. It stands tall at the top end of the site.
If my memory serves me correctly, the ruin below was the site of the Brake House Wheel, dating back to 1821. It housed a water wheel that powered a system of rods, levers and ropes that served to pump water out of the mines and wind the carts full of lead ore to the surface.
I got seduced by the sweeping curves of the many miners' tracks that criss-cross the site.
Of course, the sheep that now graze where men once worked add an element of life to the landscape. They are hardy Swaledale sheep, bred to survive the harsh weather and sparse pasture of these Yorkshire moorlands.
Fascinating ruins!
ReplyDeleteMore gorgeous B&W! You have converted me. And what a fascinating site!
ReplyDeleteThese shots look so old in B&W. It works so well in that environment.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the essence of this rustic mine.
ReplyDeleteWonderful depiction of vacant land, past uses, and desolation now. Glad there are still sheep!
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