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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 280
 Date Entered 30/09/2011
 Updated on 01/10/2011
 Recorded by Alan and Judith Mills
 Category Mining Related
 Record Type Mining
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 29/09/2011
 Location Slei Gill
 Civil Parish Grinton
 Brit. National Grid NZ 01892 02851
 Altitude 300m approx
 Record Name Farndale Smelt Mill
 Record Description The only known smelt mill in Fremington was probably built by Humphrey Wharton around 1625. Known as the New Mill, or Farndale Mill, it stood on the East bank of the beck in Farndale, now known as Slei Gill, opposite the foot of Tanner Rake. A map of 1718 shows it to have a waterwheel at its southern end. See "Swaledale its Mines and Smelt Mills"; Mike Gill.

The precise location of the mill is uncertain. We suggest that the site identified here is possibly that of the mill. The photos show the only surviving wall, running North - South with a round structure at the North end which might well be a later addition.

It is not known when the mill went out of use. The site seems to have been partially buried by spoil from the later nearby Sun Gutter Level to the North and heavily eroded by the beck to the West side so that only the East wall survives. There may be more under the build up of spoil.

Note that although this site is in Arkengarthdale it is in the historic parish of Grinton.

Photos by Alan Mills & Stephen Eastmead.
 Image 1 ID 1045         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Farndale (Slei Gill) Mill - remaining wall
 Image 2 ID 1047         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Farndale (Slei Gill) Mill - remaining wall - close up
 Image 3 ID 1046         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Farndale (Slei Gill) Mill - circular structure to North end of wall
 Image 4 ID 1048         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Farndale (Slei Gill) Mill - circular structure to North end of wall - close up
 Image 5 ID 1050         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Sun Gutter Level
 Image 6 ID 1049         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Sun Gutter Level Portal
 
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