Huntcliff Guibal Fan House
Building In Saltburn, North Yorkshire
Guibal fan house built in 1872, which once ventilated Huntcliff Ironstone mine.
This Guibal fan house popped on maps recently when we were in the Cleveland area and I was intrigued to see what it was all about. Slightly off the beaten track, you can park at either Skinningrove or Saltburn and walk along the coast to see it. I'd seen photos online where the fan house was surrounded by cows, but thankfully none were to be seen when I visited!
The Huntcliff Ironstone Mine was operational from the 1870s to 1906 and relied on this fan house to ventilate the mine for the men who worked there. Miners worked in harsh conditions extracting ironstone - a vital component in steel production - and fresh air was a precious commodity underground.
The Guibal fan, named after it's inventor Theophile Guibal, was a marvel of engineering and a colossal structure. The building at Huntcliff housed a giant fan, 9m in diameter, with blades that sliced through the air. You can still see where the fan was housed on the derelict building and can appreciate how big it was and how noisy it must have been.
Unlike other mine buildings which have succumbed to coastal erosion, the fan house has weathered the storms, and is a testament to Victorian engineering prowess. The fan house is now a landmark on the Cleveland Way and can be spotted between Skinningrove and Saltburn by the Sea.
Although there are other Guibal fan houses in the area, including one on the edge of Old Shaft Wood near Guisborough, Huntcliff is thought to be the best preserved example in Cleveland. It is definitely worth a wander along the Cleveland Way to see it.
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How To Find Huntcliff Guibal Fan House
Where Is Huntcliff Guibal Fan House?
Lat / Long
54.583374, -0.922789
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Where To Park For Huntcliff Guibal Fan House?
Lat / Long
54.571165, -0.898554
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There is a car park at either Skinningrove or Saltburn by the Sea. We opted for Skinningrove and walked 2.5km along the Cleveland Way to reach the fan house.
Contributed by Sandra Clemens
I love the great outdoors and have been a National Trust & English Heritage member for years. I also love going off the beaten track and finding places like Sharp's Folly or Rothley Castle which are hidden gems in Northumberland. My favourite recent hike was climbing Red Screes in the Lake District on a whim, not fully grasping how high 776m was. It was still an achievement to conquer a Wainwright walk and I hope to do more one day.
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