Tan Hill, North Yorkshire
{{Short description|High point in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox mountain
|name = Tan Hill
|location = North Yorkshire, England
|map = United Kingdom North Yorkshire
|map_width = 256
|map_caption = Location in North Yorkshire
|photo = 2013 Tan Hill Inn from south.jpg
|photo_caption = Tan Hill Inn and surrounding countryside
|photo_alt = Moorland with Stone building in the distance.
|grid_ref_UK = NY896067
|coordinates = {{coord|54.4555|-2.1600|display=title, inline|region:GB_type:landmark}}
}}
Tan Hill ({{gbmappingsmall|NY896067}}) is a high point on the Pennine Way in North Yorkshire, England. It lies north of Keld in the civil parish of Muker, near the borders of County Durham and Westmorland, and close to the northern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It fell within the historic boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire. It is in an isolated location, the nearest town of Kirkby Stephen being an {{convert|11|mi|adj=on}} drive away.{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/feb/05/tan-hill-inn-snow | title=At the lonely Tan Hill Inn, the snow is falling… and business is booming | first =Tracy | last = McVeigh | newspaper=The Observer | date = 5 February 2012 | accessdate = 19 June 2012}}
The Tan Hill Inn is the highest inn in the British Isles at 1,732 feet (528 m) above sea level.
Coal mining
The Upper Howgate Edge Grit is a coarse-grained sandstone within the Pendleian, the lower subsystem of the Carboniferous structure. Found in the peaks of the highest fells of North Yorkshire, the shale layer containing coal lies above it. The shale under the northwest region is called the Tan Hill seam, and was worked from the 13th century until the early 1930s.{{cite web |url=https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/coal-mining-in-the-british-isles/yorkshire-coalfield/yorkshiredales/tanhill/ |title=Tan Hill Colliery and Kings Pit |publisher=Northern Mine Research Society |accessdate=3 January 2020}}
The first records of coal being produced are from 1384, when locally worked shallow shafts produced coal for Richmond Castle. The poor-quality coal produced a dirty, dusty fuel but when mixed with peat it gave a good glow, and could smoulder overnight until revived in the morning. Before the start of the Industrial Revolution, the easily accessible upper seams were mainly worked out, requiring investment in deeper shafts. By the 17th century the poor-quality coal was locally converted in simple beehive kilns into coke – known locally as "cinders" – which was used in lead and iron smelting.{{cite web|url=http://www.outofoblivion.org.uk/record.asp?id=467|title=Tan Hill coal field|work=Out of Oblivion: A landscape through time|publisher=Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority|accessdate=25 April 2015}}{{cite book |last=White |first=Robert |date=2002 |title=The Yorkshire Dales: A Landscape Through Time |location=Ilkley |publisher=Great Northern Books |isbn=1905080050}}
With modern means of transport having encroached on the valley, the local miners defied the 1926 General Strike. When better coal became more easily available, the local coal became less desirable and the last mine closed in 1929.{{cite web|url=http://www.sunriseag.net/adoptapub/more/0019TanHill.htm|title=Tan Hill|work=Adopt a Pub|accessdate=25 April 2015}} Locals worked the residual upper seams by hand until the mid-1930s.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{oscoor gbx|NY896066}}
Category:Mountains and hills of North Yorkshire