Westernhope Old (Lead) Mine Lodging Shop And Stable On South Bank Of West Grain

Westernhope Old Lead Mine Lodging Shop and stable is located on the south bank of the West Grain and dates from the early 18th century. The building is constructed of thin courses of squared sandstone and features a stone-flagged roof. It stands two storeys high and has two bays. There are thin stone lintels above two empty doorways, and above the second door is a moulded empty wood window with a central diagonal iron bar. A chimney is located at the left end, and the left return gable has a small square attic light on the right side, with prominent throughstones in the gable peak supporting the chimney. The rear bank entry to the first floor is partly blocked.

Inside, the left door likely leads to the stable, which is separated from the living accommodation by a stone wall. The right side contains five square recesses in the rear wall opposite the door, and there is a stone winder stair in the front right corner. The first floor features a fireplace at the left end, flanked by full-height stone flag cheeks and a deep lintel with a segmental head under a stone flue. The roof is supported by bolted collared trusses, with two levels of substantial purlins and a ridge piece on crossed principals. There is a left extension, likely a former smithy, which is now in ruins. The building is currently empty and derelict. It is included for its historical interest as a surviving example of lead-mining conditions, with water from a nearby level running past the front of the building.

Historically, the Westernhope mines were operated by the Blackett family from the early 18th century until 1861.