The Smithy

The Smithy is a building that was originally a smithy and is now a house. It dates from the late 18th century to the early 19th century and was converted into a residence in the mid-20th century. The structure is made of gritstone rubble and has a graduated stone slate roof. It is one and a half storeys tall and consists of two bays. The south front features glazed double doors set back in what is likely the original cart entrance, which has irregularly quoined jambs and a single-block lintel. To the right of the entrance, there is a square 20th-century frame window with a poorly shaped sill and lintel, but no jambs. There is also a similar window below the eaves to the right, above a blocked opening that was probably a doorway. The building has restored kneelers, gable copings, and end stacks. A lean-to on the right side is not of special interest. This building is considered poorly constructed but is very significant within the lead mining complex, as by the early 19th century, it was common for hundreds of ponies to be used to haul ore from the mines, with packhorses transporting the ore to Gargrave, Skipton, Pateley Bridge, and beyond. The west end of the wall appears to have been rebuilt during the conversion.