West Stonesdale

West Stonesdale is a hamlet in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England. The secluded village is near Keld to the south, Tan Hill to the north and is both 10 miles (16 km) from Grinton (west north west) and Askrigg (north west).[1] The small valley that cuts south from Tan Hill to West Stonesdale is also known as West Stonesdale (or West Stones Dale)[2] and carries Stonesdale Beck 4 miles (7 km) south to the River Swale.[3] A road heads north from the B6270 through West Stonesdale to Tan Hill.[4] Where the road diverges from the B6270 is the site of Currack Force, a waterfall on Stonesdale Beck which drops 23 feet (7 m) before entering the Swale.[5]

West Stonesdale

West Stonesdale
West Stonesdale
Location within North Yorkshire
OS grid referenceNY8802
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townRICHMOND
Postcode districtDL11
Dialling code01748
PoliceNorth Yorkshire
FireNorth Yorkshire
AmbulanceYorkshire
UK Parliament

West Stonesdale used to be in the ecclesiastical parish of Grinton, but now forms part of the civil parish of Muker.[6] The Pennine Way is to the east of the hamlet on the far side of Stonesdale Beck.[2] To the north, just before Startindale Gill becomes Stonedale Beck is West Stonesdale Lead Mine, which between 1850 and 1861 was operated by Christopher Lonsdale Bradley.[7] The site of the mine and its associated workings are now listed as a scheduled monument.[8] Coal was also mined above West Stonesdale, with Stonesdale Moor being dotted with former pit workings. Coal was mined as far back as 1384 and was transported to Richmond in the east.[9] The coal was poor quality by comparison to other sources, but the industry was important enough in the area to warrant a turnpike road being built from Tan Hill down through Arkengarthdale.[10]

References
  1. "Genuki: In 1822, the following places were in the Parish of Grinton:, Yorkshire (North Riding)". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  2. "OL30" (Map). Yorkshire Dales - Northern & Central Area. 1:25,000. Explorer. Ordnance Survey. 2016. ISBN 9780319263358.
  3. "Stonesdale Bk from Source to River Swale Overview". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  4. "Beautiful bleakness". The Yorkshire Post. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  5. Fellows, Griff J (2003). The waterfalls of England : a practical guide for visitors and walkers. Wilmslow: Sigma Leisure. p. 125. ISBN 1-85058-767-1.
  6. "Muker CP/Tn through time | Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  7. Middleton, Penny (February 2013). "West Stonesdale Lead Mine, Swaledale, North Yorkshire" (PDF). outofoblivion.org. Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  8. Historic England. "West Stonesdale lead mine and ore works (1015407)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  9. Historic England. "William Gill 19th century colliery on Stonesdale Moor (1018368)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  10. Scholes, Ron (2006). Landmark Visitor Guide to the Yorkshire Dales (2 ed.). Ashbourne: Landmark. p. 139. ISBN 1-84306-209-7.


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