NY8053 : Allen Smelt Mill Chimney
taken 7 years ago, 3 km from Ninebanks, Northumberland, England
Allen Lead Smelt Mill was first recorded as early as 1692 when it was owned by the Bacon family. From 1786 the mill was owned by the Beaumont Company which added long flues up to the fell-top in 1808 and between 1845 and 1850. As noxious furnace fumes travelled up the flues, they cooled and condensed on the walls. These deposits were then chipped away for their lead and silver content via doorways in the flue walls. Large parts of the flues survive as ribbon-like mounds up to 7m wide and 2m high, running across fields for 3.5km until they end at the two chimneys. This flue system is one of the best preserved in England. The chimneys ceased operating in 1896 and are a Scheduled Monument protected by law.
Allen Smelt Mill, flue system and chimneys: Link