Rosedale's Industrial Heritage

If you look closely at the landscape surrounding Rosedale Abbey, it seems that the upper sides of Dale have been chewed, and knawed, and sliced - as if by the teeth of some prehistoric giant animal.

Terraced Workings and Spoil Dumps Above Rosedale Abbey.

Although softened now by the passage of time, and the work of natural erosian; you'll still see deep gouges and rents in the valley sides if you look hard enough.

There are scrapes, mounds, strange earthworks, wierd rocks, and massive stone structures which draw the eye to the horizon.

The Mining Scars on the Landscape are Easy to See in Rosedale.

And running around the valley side - high above the village - is a strange linear cut that can be traced for nearly ten-miles around the Dale.

So what is going on? 

What could have made such drastic impacts on the geology of the Valley above Rosedale Abbey?

The Rosedale Mineral Railway is a Victorian-era Engineering Marvel.

Iron Mining in Rosedale

The short and simple answer - is that all the lumps and bumps in the landscape are due to Victoria-era miners - who came to Rosedale to participate in an iron-ore bonanza.

All the mining features, and many of the buildings that remain in Rosedale today are the result of a Klondike-like rush undertaken in the 70-years between 1856 and 1926.

Iron-ore tonnage shipped from Rosedale's mines in that period increased from 4,000 tonnes in 1856; to 80,000 tonnes in 1861; to 250,000 tonnes in 1865.

Calcinating Kilns Near Bank Top Above Rosedale Abbey.

And the population in the Dale exploded from just 446 souls in 1861 to 2,048 people just ten years later.

But on the 6th June, 1926, it was all over.

The mines were closed-down forever; and the railway line that transported the valuable ore to Teeside was ripped-up.

The landscape was left to the ravages of winter on the North York Moors; and slowly the Dale returned to its agricultual past.

And now, one hundred years later, Rosedale is just a clean and pleasent valley - with fresh air, great pubs, and lovely walks and bike rides - enjoyed by holidaymakers visiting the North York Moors National Park in all seasons.

Street Lights Twinkle in the Snow in Rosedale Abbey (February 2014).

Tourists and day visitors may not be even aware of the amazing transformation that the Victorians wraught within the valley.

But for any visitor - it's worth spending the time - and looking at some of the more impressive remains of the Industrial Revolution in Rosedale.

Chimney Bank & Hollins Mine

At the top of Chimney Bank - on the right of the road - you can see the massive Calcining Kilns at Bank Top.

These were used to initially refine the raw-ore mined from the Hollins deposit - reducing its weight and making it easier and cheaper to transport.

And just to the left of the road at Bank Top, you can also still see the massive incline-tramway where the iron-ore was hauled from the Hollins Mine to the kilns.

Rosedale Incline - A Tramway Used to Haul Ore from Hollins Mine.

The scars wraught by mining at Hollins can also still clearly be seen if you look Southwards down the valley side from the top of Chimney Bank.

Also at Bank Top, you'll see the remaining four railway workers' cottages. 

At one time there were 16 other cottages here; plus the famous "Chimney" from which the steep bank takes it's name. 

Bank Top Cottages Looking South in Summer.

The Chimney was demolished in the 1970s; when the £6,000 required to conserve it could not be found by Government - what a tragic shame.

The Rosedale Mineral Railway

The cinder track railway - stretching nearly nine-miles around Rosedale - and a further 10-miles across the North York Moors to Ingleby Incline is a wonder of Victorian enterprise and engineering.

Walkers Enjoying the Cinder Track Near the East Mines Kilns.

Nowadays, the old railway is a lovely flattish walking and cycling track offering one of the great walks on the North York Moors.

You can access the railway at numerous points around Rosedale; but the closest access point to Rosedale Abbey is at Bank Top above the village.

The Old Railway Cindertrack is a Walkers Dream!

The route of the railway crosses a number of culverts which required massive earthwork constructions - of which the one at Reeking Ghyl on the East-side of the valley is probably the most impressive.

Sheriff's Pit

As you walk or cycle along the Western-side of the valley on the old cinder-track railway, you'll soon arrive above the hamlet of Thorgill and the location of Sheriff's pit.

The pit lies on the Moor to the left of the line and is surrounded by a ten-foot high fence.

Cyclist and Walkers on the Mineral Railway Near Sheriff's Pit.

The fence is there for good reason; as the mine shaft within is around 270-feet deep!

You can hear the flooding water flowing through the mine below.

Do not attempt to climb the fence to look into the mine shaft!

Some of these drift mines were driven up to three-miles into the valley sides in the search for ore and no one really knows what remains below.

There are also the remnants of mining and railway buildings in this area.

Rosedale East Mines

If you follow the Rosedale Mineral Railway all the way around the head of the Dale to the Eastern side; you'll soon enough arrive at the Eastern Mines.

East Side Calcinating Kilns and Railway Path.

You'll see two further huge sets of Calcinating Kilns - they rather look like something the Roman's would've constructed - plus  a number of cottages, engine sheds, coal bunkers and surface mine workings.

Other Mining-era Buildings

In the valley below are the remnants of many buildings which were build to accommodate the influx of miners, other workers, and their families.

You can visit the three distinctive rows of miners cottages at School Row, Alder Lane, and Florence Terrace.

Rosedale Miners Cottages with Mining Scars On the Moor Behind.

There is also the Methodist Chapel, village school, and the Rosedale Reading Room which were built to "improve" the lives of the miners - and keep them off the demon drink.

Many of the homes in Rosedale Abbey and Thorgill were also constructed around this time.

Rosella Cottage for instance, is thought to date to around 1850; and was at one time a mine overseer's residence and then a shop.

Rosella Cottage Circa 1900 (open door to right of the cart).

The Same View in Summer of 2013.

Interestingly, the miners were also put to work in sinking the River Seven which now runs underground below the village green in Rosedale Abbey.

The tunnel entrance starts just to the right of the row of cottages opposite the Milburn Arms Hotel; it runs under our back garden, and underneath the village green; and exits to the South of the village.

Take a look at this interesting feature when you're strolling around the village.

Rosedale Abbey in Summer Sunshine.