Toft Gate Lime Kiln

When we visited Pateley Bridgein July 2026, we had Toft Gate Lime Kiln and Coldstones Cut on our to-do list as they sit close together. The wind was absolutely howling around Coldstones Cut, but we at least had some shelter around the ruins of the lime kiln.

Situated a couple of miles outside Pateley Bridge, the lime kiln is a reminder of the industrial past of the area. The kiln was built in 1870 and produced lime for around 40 years until 1910. Lime was in demand in Victorian times and the lime produced here was used to make fertiliser and mortar for building houses.

The Toft Gate kiln was a draw kiln, which meant it was continuously burning and creating lime without stopping for weeks or sometimes months at a time. It would have been a hot and noisy industrial site back in the day, but now it is a peaceful place to stop and admire the Yorkshire countryside, and listen to the birds if you can hear them above the howling gales.

The area is now busy with flora and fauna such as wild thyme, lady's bedstraw and green twayblade which all thrive on the limestone landscape and birds such as Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Lapwing can be spotted there.

The lime kiln only takes a few minutes to look around, but the views over the countryside are beautiful. Walking around the site you can see the undulations in the landscape caused by old mine workings and there are a few sheep to keep you company too. To extend your visit, we recommend a visit to Coldstones Cut afterwards - hopefully the wind doesn't blow your hat off.