Field Excursion
to the
North Swaledale Mineral Belt
Swale Dale
30th July 2023 10:30 - 16:30 BST
led by Dr John Knight
Background and Objective: the itinerary is based on Excursion 4 (Ineson & Young) in the Yorkshire Rocks and Landscape (YRL) Field Guide published by the Yorkshire Geological Society. For those who do not have a hard copy, this has been converted to a series of freely-accessible articles which can be accessed by clicking HERE
The objective is primarily to examine the richly mineralised North Swaledale Mineral Belt, a spectacular mining landscape with the remains of smelt mills and mineral waste dumps, some of which host minerals of interest as detailed in the YRL guide. The history of the mines and smelt mills has been comprehensively covered by the publications of Arthur Raistrick (1975 a,b) and Mike Gill (1993); the detail and regional context of the mineralised belt is covered in the BGS Memoir - Geology of the Northern Pennine Orefield - Vol.2 Stainmore to Craven (Dunham & Wilson 1985). The visit will also allow inspection of the cyclothemic succession of the uppermost Wensleydale Group and the lower part of the Stainmore Group, historically referred to as Yoredale Beds. The vertical extent of the mineralised zone is not great and was most productive in the Main Limestone cycle including the overlying Main Chert. There will be the opportunity to consider the somewhat enigmatic sedimentary environment of the chert beds; particularly relevant is the description by Wells (1955). Participants also interested in the development of the landscape of upper Swaledale and its glacial features should also consult Excursion 3 (Rose: Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the area around Kisdon, upper Swaledale) in the YRL excursion guide and the description of glaciation in Wensleydale and Swaledale by Arthur Raistrick (1926).
Itinerary: Detailed joining instructions and risk assessment will be issued to participants who have registered to attend through the Society website. The route will start from Surrender Bridge (NY 988.999) and follow the YRL excursion route past Level House Bridge (NY 964.014), inspecting localities 1-8. From this point the route will diverge from the published excursion route and continue up the valley to the Friarfold vein system and then follow a track ENE through Forefield Rake; after approximately 1 km the track swings to the south-west to return to Surrender Bridge in a clockwise circuit. The total walking distance is some 11 km (approximately 6 miles) on bridleway, rough tracks and public footpath of moderate gradient. However, intending participants should take careful note of the health and safety advice below. There are open mine adits and shaft sites across the area: under no circumstances should old mine workings be entered.
Health and Safety: Although the itinerary presents only moderate grade walking, intending participants should note that this is a very remote area and over most of the route there is no mobile telephone coverage and no public vehicular access. The terrain, other than where affected by mining, is essentially treeless moorland. If the weather proves inclement it is exposed, potentially cold and windswept; however, in summer conditions, Meteorological Office warnings on potentially exceptional high temperatures must be heeded and protection must be applied against sunburn and dehydration. There are no immediately available services for refreshments or toilets; the nearest settlement with these facilities is at Feetham some 1.6 km south of Surrender Bridge. Nearest hospital facilities (A&E and urgent medical care) are over 20 miles away (Darlington Memorial Hospital).
Site status: The site is part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Arkengarthdale, Gunnerside and Reeth Moors SSSI, the latter notified for the moorland vegetation community and breeding bird populations. There must be no hammering of outcrops and dogs will not be allowed to accompany the excursion.
Maps: OS Outdoor Leisure 30 (1:25,000): Yorkshire Dales- Northern & Central Areas
BGS 1:50,00 Provisional Series: Kirkby Stephen (Sheet 40); Richmond (Sheet 41)
Bibliography:
Dunham, K.C. & Wilson, A.A. (1985): Geology of the Northern Pennine Orefield. Vol. 2. Stainmore to Craven. Economic Memoir of the British Geological Survey. HMSO, London
Gill, M. (1993): Swaledale- its Mines and Smelt Mills. Landmark Collector’s Library, Landmark Publishing, Ashbourne
Ineson, R. & Young, B. (2006): Excursion 4. The North Swaledale Mineral Belt around Gunnerside. In Scrutton, C. & Powell, J. (eds.) Yorkshire Rocks and Landscape, a Field Guide 3rd Edition. Yorkshire Geological Society
Raistrick, A. (1926): The Glaciation of Wensleydale, Swaledale and adjacent parts of the Pennines. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, XX, 366-410
Raistrick A. (1975 a): The Lead Industry of Wensleydale and Swaledale, Vol. 1 The Mines. Moorland Publishing, Ashbourne
Raistrick, A. (1975 b): The Lead Industry of Wensleydale and Swaledale, Vol. 2 The Smelting Mills. Moorland Publishing, Ashbourne
Rose, J. (2006): Excursion 3. Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the area around Kisdon, upper Swaledale. In Scrutton, C. & Powell, J. (eds.) Yorkshire Rocks and Landscape, a Field Guide 3rd Edition. Yorkshire Geological Society
Wells, A.J. (1955): The development of Chert between the Main and Crow Limestones in North Yorkshire. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 30, 177-196