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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 200
 Date Entered 26/05/2011
 Updated on 13/06/2011
 Recorded by Alan and Judith Mills
 Category Mining Related
 Record Type Mining
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Private
 Record Date 23/03/2011
 Location Cogden Hall farmland
 Civil Parish Grinton
 Brit. National Grid SE 05717 97690
 Altitude 200m
 Geology Pasture over sandstone. British Geological Survey shows ML (Middle Limestone)
 Record Name Shallow shafts at Cogden Hall
 Record Description This area, to the West of Stolerston Stile, in what was earlier the Manor of Grinton, contains a number of shallow shafts, at least 13 in number, together with what appear to be 2 or 3 levels driven into the steep bank to the South. This area is shown as 'Old shafts (Lead)' on the 1st edition OS map (1857). The initial impression of the area is of a line of shallow shafts trending in a North-West to South-East direction and probably following a small lead vein or string. On closer examination, the spoil around the shafts consists mainly of small broken flag (sandstone) whilst the larger pieces outside the blocked up levels are also sandstone. There is no evidence of any limestone nor of any mineralisation. The blocked level at SE 05809 97669 was opened up with the landowner's permission and entered. It is in a dangerous state but was clearly worked for flagstone as indicated by spoil in the pack-walls. At first it seems unlikely that stone should be quarried underground with access by shafts, when there is a now disused stone quarry close nearby (SE 05697 97770) and extensive surface working for stone in the adjoining field to the East of Stolerston Stile. Historically though, the latter field was in the Manor of Ellerton and therefore the property of a different Lord of the Manor. However, this method of working for good quality flag stone via shallow shafts is not unheard of, apparently being relatively common around Wakefield, West Yorkshire,(source Les Tyson), and is known as 'gallery' working (source David Carlisle). Ian Spensley suggests that the working might be of some antiquity, possibly pre-dating the dissolution of the nearby Marrick Priory and Ellerton Abbey in the 16th century. SE 05717 97690 to SE 05862 97660
 Dimensions 
 Geographical area 
 Species 
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes 
 Image 1 ID 688         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description General view of area of shafts
 Image 2 ID 689         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Two of the shallow shafts
 Image 3 ID 690         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Blocked entrance to a level
 Image 4 ID 691         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Close up of shaft 1
 Image 5 ID 692         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Shaft 4 showing top of the lining ?
 Image 6 ID 693         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Close up of shaft 12
 Image 7 ID 694         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Spoil outside the blocked level
 Image 8 ID 695         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description Mining map of 1774 over the 1840 tithe map showing changes to field boundaries
 Image 9 ID 696         Click image to enlarge
 Image 9 Description Ian Spensley in the level
 Image 10 ID 697         Click image to enlarge
 Image 10 Description Inside the level showing pack-wall on left & stone working
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