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SWAAG News Archive
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Slei Gill Walk 9th September 2023

Alan and Judith Mills lead a very informative and interesting walk on Saturday 9th September. It was a very hot and humid day for September. We were joined by 13 members and friends.

Lead mining in the Arkengarthdale area can be traced back prior to the Norman Conquest. In the early to mid 19th century a significant population in the Swaledale (8K) and Arkengarthdale (2K) were in some way employed in lead mining.

Passing through Arkle Town – the old administrative centre of Arkengarthdale – we passed through the old church yard – the church having been moved in 1820. The first area of mine workings were reached at Booze Wood level where the entrance to the level can be clearly seen. Moving along the bottom of the valley and through a tunnel we approached the area that had held the crushing mill and water wheel that powered the crush rollers.

Returning to the main footpath we approached the area of Slei Gill. Visible were the Hushes on either side of the valley, and going up towards Fell End. As we moved along the track and into Slei Gill Alan explained how the area had been devastated by the flood in 2019. Old mine working had been lost and new areas had been exposed. These were recorded only to be lost again in November 2019 during another flood event.

Travelling further up the valley we observed bell pits, hushing and several level entrances – including Scotts level, Booze Wood, Doctor, Procter, Sun Gutter, Tanner Rake. Alan indicated the areas of other crushing mills, railway lines and the site of the smelter.

We then returned along the track passing the Tythe House and into the hamlet of Booze, and on to Langthwaite.


Booze Wood Level	Group at Scotts Level
Click Images to Enlarge


Slei Gill
News Record: 172 Updated: 03-10-2023 14:34:11