Keld Chapel

Keld Chapel is a chapel dating from the late 16th century that was used as a dwelling from the late 17th century until the 19th century. It was repaired and restored for worship in the early 20th century. The chapel is constructed of coursed rubble limestone with limestone dressings, featuring a single ridge chimney and a Westmorland slate roof laid in diminishing courses.

The building has a simple two-cell plan, a result of its domestic conversion, and is aligned from north-east to south-west. The north-east gable has a three-light window with elliptically-arched heads beneath a re-set label mould. The north-west elevation includes two flat-headed windows and a doorway, all set within irregularly-quoined surrounds. The windows consist of one and two lights, while the doorway has chamfered jambs and a later lintel. The south-east elevation mirrors the north-west with two similar windows and has a blocked window dating from around 1700.

Inside, the chapel has a simply-furnished interior divided by a cross wall, which features an inserted domestic hearth with stepped jambs and an irregular, narrow lintel. There is also an inserted recess to the left, with unplastered stonework and exposed rafters and purlins.

The first documentary reference to Keld Chapel is a christening recorded in 1672. After ceasing to function as a place of worship in the late 17th century, it was converted into a dwelling. The building underwent repairs in 1897 and became the property of the National Trust in the early 20th century. It is situated within a small churchyard enclosed by a wall, which, along with the ground beneath the chapel, is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (No. 34988).