Arkengarthdale

Map of Arkengarthdale (Opens in a new page).

Location: Pennine Region: North Yorkshire: Northern Dales

River: Arkle Beck

Principal Towns & Villages: Langthwaite, Booze, Arkle Town, Whaw

Between Swaledale and Teesdale lays the remote Arkengarthdale. The population of this steep sided dale are to be found scattered among its many small hill farming communities and hamlets.

The former hunting forest of Arkengarthdale has a history that goes back to the Romans who first mined for lead here. In 1628 the citizens of London sold the dale to Dr. John Bathurst, physician to Oliver Cromwell.

The Bathurst family then developed Arkengarthdale into the centre of a vast lead mining industry. Remains of this former activity are still in evidence today, spoil heaps, smelt mills and lead ore processing have altered the landscape blending with the sheep-grazed pastures, moorland and fells.