Blacksmith, Midlem

A pair of mid-18th century buildings located on the village green at Midlem.

The smithy is a small, single-storey, three-bay building with whitewashed rubble walls and a gabled roof. A chimney is situated at the west end. The front elevation features two two-pane fixed windows flanking a timber half-door. A single four-pane window is located at the rear. The roof is covered in Scotch slate and incorporates four skylights glazed with painted glass panels. The interior includes a double hearth constructed of rubble, with one round bellows remaining. There are also wooden storage racks and benches, a hand shear, and a drill. A lean-to wooden store adjoins the west side. A cast-iron wheel-tyring ring is inset into the ground directly in front of the door.

The Pall House, built in 1769 by the Midlem Pall Association, stands to the east of the smithy. It is a small, rectangular building with whitewashed rubble walls and a slate roof, featuring a modern boarded double door in the front wall.

The smithy was already in existence by 1769 when the Pall House was constructed. The Pall House was originally built to house a two-wheeled, hand-propelled vehicle intended as a proto-hearse, although it was later abandoned for this purpose in the 19th century. This vehicle was needed due to the churchyard of Midlem being located in Bowden, several miles away. The buildings are listed at Grade B due to the uniqueness of the Pall House and the completeness and early date of the smithy.