Lead smelting mill at Feldon (County Durham)

In the 16th century the rights to mine silver in this area was given to the Duke of Buckingham. Feldon Smelt Mill was built in the 17th century to smelt the ore. In 1725 the rights were sold to the London Lead Company who worked here until the 19th century. The remains of the mill include a system of dams and channels to power the waterwheel. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law. (1)

The ruins, earthworks and buried remains of the Feldon Smelt Mill. Following the accession of Charles I, all silver within 10 miles of Muggleswick was granted to the Duke of Buckingham. Feldon Smelt Mill was built in the late 17th century to smelt this ore. In 1725 the lead mines within the Manor of Muggleswick were acquired by the London Lead Company which also took over the operation of the smelt mill, which they operated into the 19th century. Feldon Smelt Mill is an example of a medium sized simple ore hearth smelt mill of the 18th to 19th century. The mill was powered by a waterwheel situated within the smeltmill building, fed by a leat. The smelt mill is visible as low wall footings enclosing a rectangular area measuring 28 metres by 17 metres and includes a 3 metres by 8 metres wheel pit. To the north east side of the mill there are the remains of a long rectangular three-roomed building, whilst to the north and west are the remains of undisturbed slag heaps. The site also includes the remains of a flue and chimney. A short section of double flue, 10 metres long, remains largely intact near to the mill. The single flue, which is collapsed along its entire length, is 1 metre wide by 300 metres long and rises more than 40 metres to a chimney on the hillslope above. The chimney, which is built of well-coursed sandstone blocks, is 2 metres square and survives to a height of 1.5 metres. (11)