Copley Chimney

Back in the spring we decided to have a Bishop Auckland bimble, ticking off some places to try and get higher up in the Fabulous North league table!

As we're touring around, we're always on the lookout for new places we can add to the website. One of those places literally popped out of the trees as we were heading near a little place called Copley and this is the Gaunless Smelt Mill Chimney, also known as Copley Chimney.

The Copley Chimney is a significant historical structure located in County Durham, associated with the lead smelting industry. Built in 1832, it was part of the Gaunless Valley Lead Mill, which operated for around 100 years from approximately 1790 to 1890.

The chimney was constructed to disperse the toxic fumes generated from smelting lead ore, primarily galena. The lead mill itself was established by the Earl of Darlington to process ore from his Teesdale mines.

The Copley Chimney is a sandstone structure with ashlar dressings, now standing in isolation in Gibbsneese Plantation above the River Gaunless. It remains one of the few visible remnants of the industrial activity in the area and stands a whopping 35m tall.

The lead smelt mill utilised water power from the river, although later smelting technologies evolved to separate fuel from ore, making coal usage more efficient.

As you make your way up, look out for some little stones on the ground with names of other collieries and mines that were part of the Durham area.

To get to the chimney there is a clear path from the parking area, which has an information board, up some steps and then within a minute or so you will see the chimney. It can be difficult to get a decent photo due to the close proximity of the trees, so either get your stilts on or send your drone up. If you haven't brought either, then just drive out of the valley and you'll get a good look at it from afar.