Allendale Chimneys

I'm a bit like a moth to a flame when I see something sitting atop a hill as I always want to go and investigate. I'd spied the chimneys a while back, but wasn't sure how to get there. Fortunately I saw a blog post about them and the author kindly gave me some directions. I still got lost though!

There are two chimneys sitting on top of a hill will lovely views in all directions.

The chimneys were part of the flue system of the Allen Lead Smelt Mill which was operating as early as 1962, owned by the deliciously named Bacon family. Long horizontal flues were added in 1808 and between 1845 and 1850.

The smelt mill finally ended production in 1896.

When we were walking up to them there was a stone tunnel which was broken in parts so you could see inside. These were also a crucial part of the flue system. And of course we took a picture. Here you go!

Here is some more official history on the place.

Although much of the smelt mill has been demolished, remains of several stone structures survive, including a series of bouse teams, condensing chamber, flue opening and a silver smelter. The flue system is extensive and was built to condense the noxious fumes produced from the furnaces.

The deposits that formed on the internal walls of the flues were removed periodically for their lead and silver content, via doorways in the flue wall. The flues survive as long mounds up to 8m wide and standing up to 2m high, but where they have collapsed they appear as ditches 2m wide. Three of the flues can be followed for two to three miles (3.5km) onto open moorland at Flow Moss where they end at two chimneys.

This flue system is one of the best preserved in England. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.Although much of the smelt mill has been demolished, remains of several stone structures survive, including a series of bouse teams, condensing chamber, flue opening and a silver smelter. The flue system is extensive and was built to condense the noxious fumes produced from the furnaces.

The deposits that formed on the internal walls of the flues were removed periodically for their lead and silver content, via doorways in the flue wall. The flues survive as long mounds up to 8m wide and standing up to 2m high, but where they have collapsed they appear as ditches 2m wide. Three of the flues can be followed for two to three miles (3.5km) onto open moorland at Flow Moss where they end at two chimneys.

This flue system is one of the best preserved in England. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.

Source - keystothepast.

The two chimneys are around 300 meters apart.