Baysdale Wood

Heather on Battersby Moor.

Looking NE from Juniper Gate towards Guisborough Woods.

On the route from Juniper Gate to Baysdale Abbey.

Looking west from the path the goes along the north side of Baysdale.

Small Copper butterfly in Baysdale.

NYM HER No: 9698 A post medieval sheep fold identified from historic mapping with slight structural remains.

One of the oldest bridges on the North Yorkshire moors. Possibly dating from the 1200’s.

The unusual yet familiar chimney that dominates the site of the failed Warren Moor Mine, a short lived enterprise that hoped to capitalise on the 1860s ironstone boom. The architecture of the chimney is in contrast to the utilitarian style later in the century. No expense seemed to have been spared, with decorative polychromatic banding, and the top splayed out. All the more surprising that it would only be noticed by grouse and sheep. But perhaps it was a condition imposed on the mining company by the landowners, the Turton Estate. There are two reasons why a chimney would have been needed: to vent noxious fumes or to provide a draw for the steam boilers. Being in such an exposed location it’s hard to believe a lack of a draw would have been considered a problem. On the bracken covered bank to the right of the chimney, a number of drifts can be seen. The Warren Moor Iron Company were responsible for these, which accessed the Dogger ironstone seam, but this was found not to be good enough quality. The company went into liquidation. The Main seam is generally about 200′ (61m) lower than the Dogger, and it is this seam that, four years later in 1872, the Leven Vale Iron Company tried to exploit by sinking shafts necessitating building the chimney. It is thought the mine was abandoned before reaching the seam. As the chimney is just over 64′ (19m) high, it gives a visual indication of the depth of the shafts needed. Incidentally, clearly visible this side of Warren Farm, at the top of the hill, is a Grade II listed privy, contemporary with the house itself, late 18th-century. For sources and references see my blog Link

A weather-worn carving of a grouse in a shooting butt. Probably done by Roland Close, local archaeologist and estate worker who lived in Baysdale. Other butts in the sequence have a similar carving.

The steep climb out of Baysdale on a hot August morning.

Heather on Middle Head.

Looking NE, there was a good breeze at this point.

Looking NE.

Looking north.

Looking SW into Baysdale.

The old chimney in Leven Vale.