Thousands of years of human activity has created Nidderdale National Landscape’s rich industrial and agricultural heritage.

The area is dotted with historical features such as ancient barns, dry stone walls, and remnants of old mining and quarrying operations. The landscape also includes historic railways and reservoirs, which played crucial roles in the region’s industrial past. Nidderdale National Landscape is also home to historic parks and gardens, showcasing the area’s cultural and horticultural heritage. This blend of natural beauty and historical significance makes Nidderdale a unique and fascinating place to explore.

The construction of reservoirs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to supply water to nearby cities has had a significant impact, creating large bodies of water that now define the region. Historic mining and quarrying activities have left behind distinctive features such as old mine shafts, spoil heaps, and quarry faces, which add to the area’s rugged character. The traditional dry stone walls and ancient barns scattered across the landscape are a testament to the agricultural practices that have shaped the region for centuries.

Additionally, historic railways and industrial sites highlight the area’s role in the broader industrial history of the UK. These elements, combined with historic parks and gardens, contribute to a landscape that is not only visually stunning but also rich in cultural and historical significance.

Our work focuses on

• Protecting built heritage across the NNL: our work at Hackfall [need to create a case study/page]; our work through the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) [create heritage based FiPL page?]
• Delivering the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership project [link to site]
• Conserving 4 flagship heritage sites: Fishponds Wood, Wath Mill, Lodge Village and Prosperous Lead Mines [link to pdf’s of each site -need to be created]
• Celebrating heritage through our guided walks.
• Providing advice and access to grant funding for farmers and landowners to protect their heritage through our advice service.