Description and History of Site:-
A complex multi-phase site.

Originally known as Preston Smelt mill, built 1840 and extended in 1855. The unusually long flue ran several km north-west to join up with the flue system at Cobscar (qv) smelt mill. By 1859 the flue had been extended to a length of 3.3 kms, making it the longest in Yorkshire. There was also a 'Stokoe' condenser fitted in the flue near the mill.

Peat Store at SE 07792 90972 is Listed II 1130869

Liberty: Preston under Scar
Situated: Near Tullis Cote
Grid Ref: SE 0780 9121
OS10k sheet: SE09SE
Mineral: Lead
History: Was standing in 1851. Also called Preston Smelt Mill.
Survey No.: H/M521

Gill, M.C. "Yorkshire Smelt Mills - Part 1: The Northern Dales" British
Mining No.45 (1992), pp.111-150.

PRESTON or KELD HEADS OLD MILL Preston under Scar
SE.078912
Dr Raistrick's suggestion that this mill was on the east bank of
Keldheads Gill; in Leyburn township; was wrong. His proposed site for
the mill is actually in Wensley. Nor was Preston mill on the site of
the later Keldheads mill. It was on the west bank of Keldheads Gill;
which is in Preston; near the Stokoe condenser.

The earliest record of Kell Heads (Preston) mill is a map dated 1723;
and there is nothing to add to its early history; except to remark that
if the Lords Bolton had an earlier mill; this is a good site for it.
The suggestion that Preston mill was replaced in 1840 is wrong; however;
because it was still standing in 1851; when it is shown as 'Old Smelt
Mill' on a plan of Lord Bolton's mines (1).


1. NMRS Records H/M 540 {NYCRO ZBO (L) 9}. Plan of the lead mines in
the manors of Redmire; Bolton and Leyburn belonging to the Right
Honourable Lord Bolton leased to Messrs Weston; Hartley; Kirkby and
others; May 1851. In 1974 Hatcher noted:- Small square chimney. Strange ruinous buildings with water supply in random rubble and slate.

Further Reading and References:-
Smith R, Smelt Mills of the Yorkshire Dales - Keld Heads and Preston Mills, British Mining, Vol 61, 1998, pp 42, 62
Gill, MC, Yorkshire Smelt Mills - Part 1: The Northern Dales, British Mining, No.45, 1992, pp.111-15
Clough R T, The Lead Smelting Mills of the Yorkshire Dales, (1962), 96-101
Raistrick A, The Lead Industry of Swaledale and Wensleydale, Vol 2, The Smelt Mills, Moorland, 1975, pp99-104

https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/smelt-mills/smelting/keldheads/
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNY14691&resourceID=1009
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNY39621&resourceID=1009
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=2109263&resourceID=420
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=2109271&resourceID=420

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https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=d2a98f8d-7e67-43b0-a4e1-67831aaf73c0&resourceID=19191
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=fa7b6267-5a8b-4717-8a56-553d07deb670&resourceID=19191
https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=bf2ddd06-2f56-4ca8-9ac1-df01accb7cf6&resourceID=19191



YAS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972
Hatcher J, The Industrial Architecture of Yorkshire, Phillimore, 1985

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Key Words :- lead smelt mill

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public footpath

Address :- Keldheads Lane, Preston Under Scar, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4AG
Grid Ref :- SE 07799 91011
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.314632 , Long -1.881622
Local Authority :- Richmondshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Scheduled Ancient Monument SAM
Historic England List No - 1014763, 1130869, 1179229,
Site Condition :- Site derelict - some buildings remaining
Site Dates :- 1845 -
Record Date :- 5 June 2015

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