Description and History of Site:-

The workings take the form of shallow 'coffin workings' following the lead vein, and they are clearly seen on the ground along the remains of a small stone-built coe (cabin) - this is mentioned in a document of 1684 or 1784 (it just says '84' but must be 1684).

"A number of small shallow shafts following two sections of vein a short distance to the south of Dew Bottoms. The southernmost vein working is short, following a length of vein some 50 metres in length. At either end of this area of mining, are fairly well defined shafts with low mounds measuring less than 1 metre in height. The central section appears to have been opencast, with evidence of earlier shaft workings surviving as irregularities in the edge of the open cut. To the north an area of more substantial workings is visible as a double line of shafts, stretching over 200m in length, with shaft mounds standing up to 3 metres in height. A rapid examination of the earthworks suggests that some of the shaft mounds on the western side overlie earlier shaft mounds to the east. Fairly central to this line of workings are the very ruined remains of a coe built against a short section of scar at the eastern side of the rake. Immediately to the west of the coe is a slight, semicircular arrangement of stones, which appears to be the limits of a small dressing area. The complex survives in very good condition, with very well-defined and well vegetated earthworks, probably indicating a post Medieval, rather than Medieval date." (YDNPA entry MYD 49963)
A series of leases and accounts record its history from 1677 to 1804 but no absolute start or end dates have been located. The Lowther family, of Lowther Castle possessed the manor of Darnbrook in Malham Moor along with other Dales properties in 1652 from William Middleton, lord of the manor of Stockeld as part of forfeited estates. It proved to be rather an unsuccessful venture.

Anecdotally, this is the first site in the southern Dales where gunpowder was used in mining, in 1678.

Further Reading and References:-

Clwyd Record Office, Ruthin. Lowther MSS, DD/L/63, 1677-1804.
https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA145106

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Key Words :- lead mine

Viewing the Site :- on Open Access land

Address :- Arncliffe, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23
Grid Ref :- SD 91393 69194
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.118540 , Long -2.133171
Local Authority :- Craven District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI
Site Condition :- Earthworks only
Site Dates :- 1677 - 1804
Contributor :- David Johnson - 12 February 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © David Johnson