This iron smelting site was discovered after a report of the removal of a slag heap from an improved pasture adjacent to the wood. Some pieces of slag had been retained confirming the report but then a complete slag heap, grass covered and surrounded by trees was discovered. There are ironstone nodules in the banks of a stream which could have been the source of the ore. The stream has the potential to power a forge and a farm track passes over a causeway that may have been a dam in earlier days.
The site's origin is probably Medieval.
Investigations continue.
Causeway
Slag Heap
Carole and Rock Art at Gouthwaite
with Copy Wood in the Middle Distance
Photos on this page by Gillian Hovell