Summary
POINTS ON INTEREST GUNNERSIDE originated as a small Norse farming settlement when a Viking chieftain called Gunnar first settled here in the 10th Century and gave his name to his upland summer pastures, which the Vikings called 'saetrs'.
Gunnerside remained virtually unchanged throughout the medieval period until the development of the lead mining industry behind the village in the 18th Century. Gunnerside Gill is scarred with ruinous buildings, spoil heaps and levels from this once-flourishing industry. Lead mining came to an end in the late 19th Century due to competition from abroad and dwindling reserves. There is, however, one unique reminder of this almost forgotten industry. Calvert's Blacksmith's Shop is still in business, as it has been since the early 19th Century when it supplied the mines with tools and equipment. It is a rare survivor and remains completely unaltered with old lead mining implements hanging around the furnace and even a casting mould for the pigs of lead still with its inscription of 'Old Gang'.See the full content of this document
Extract
Gunnerside &Smarber
From Gunnerside, a delightful path leads across fields then along the banks of the Swale to Isles Bridge. This was where the Roman road between Bainbridge and Greta Bridge crossed the River Swale. From Isles Bridge, a track leads up to the windswept hamlet of Smarber high on Low Row Pasture. There are several scattered hamlets like this on windswept hillsides...
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