The area around Pateley Bridge is of great National and regional importance as an Industrial Heritage landscape. The countryside is quiet now but not so long ago was a hive of industrial activity . The landscape is littered with the remains of lead and iron ore mining
These spoil heaps can be seen on the way from Pateley Bridge to Appletreewick.Old trackways once lead to working areas which are now silent and derelict , ghosts from a time when the land was full of people, noise and activity .
Toft Gate Lime Kiln near Pateley Bridge was built around 1860-70 to meet the demands of the expanding industrial towns . Lime mortar was used in building construction and the site met the needs of the Yorkshire towns . As pasture improvements also developed lime was used on the land to help enrich the quality of pasture.
Toft Gate now forms part of a heritage trail and is an impressive ruin
The Bewerley Industrail Heritage Walk starting at Pateley Bridge OS SE157655 will be of great interest to anyone who has an interest in industrial archaeology and the industrial past. It follows a route for around nine miles covering many sites including Providence Mine and Cockhill Mine which was once was of the most important mines in the area . The walk can be found at Bewerley Industrial Heritage Trail Walk . There are many information boards in the area explaining the important industrial past
