The Southern Pennines National Character Area, as defined by Natural England, encompasses the West Pennine Moors. It’s a diverse landscape featuring broad moorland and flat-topped hills. Fields enclosed by dry stone walls are a common sight. Moreover, settlements built from local gritstone can be found in river valleys with wooded sides.

The moors boast peat soils and blanket bog, which play a crucial role in storing carbon. Furthermore, high rainfall in the region fills numerous reservoirs. These reservoirs supply water to the neighbouring conurbations. Additionally, the area is of great importance for recreation.

It offers open access areas, footpaths, and historic packhorse routes for visitors to enjoy. In conclusion, the Southern Pennines provide both natural resources and leisure opportunities.

People have lived in the South Pennines for a very long time. We know this from things they left behind. Some of these things are from the Mesolithic period, which was a very long time ago. Others are from the late Bronze Age and Iron Age.

Then the Romans came. They built roads to help them move around. They also built forts in places like Ilkley and Castleshaw. The Romans found coal in the area and started digging it up. This coal became even more important much later.

During the Industrial Revolution, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, coal was used a lot. It helped power new machines. The area has many steep valleys with fast-flowing streams. These were perfect for early mills and factories. People used the water to power corn mills and fulling mills. Fulling mills were used to make wool cloth.

In medieval times, these mills were common. More fulling mills were built after the mid-1500s as the wool industry grew. By the end of the 1700s, water-powered mills were very important. They helped the textile industry grow quickly.

At first, these mills were used for spinning cotton. Later, they were also used for making different types of wool cloth. The South Pennines’ natural features and resources have shaped its history for thousands of years.

The town, its suburbs of Calderbrook and Smithy Bridge, and the surrounding countryside contain 79 listed buildings that are recorded in the National Heritage List for England. For a much more detailed list, see Wikipedia.

Built in 1605, Shore Hall has a T-shaped plan with a main range and a cross-wing on the right side. Constructed in stone on a projecting plinth, it features quoins and moulded eaves brackets.

With two storeys and five bays, the house includes an outshut at the rear of the cross-wing. Its stone-slate roof and left gable, adorned with a ball finial, add to its charm.

The doorway is accentuated by a chamfered surround and a Tudor arched lintel, while the windows are mullioned with hood moulds. This property is classified as Grade II*. Location: 53.65148°N 2.11813°W

Dating back to the late 17th century, the farmhouse was modified in the 18th century, with the barn added to the right in the 19th century.

The house is situated on a projecting plinth, showcasing quoins and a stone-slate roof. With two storeys, two bays, and a right outshut, the house features a central porch, a moulded doorway with an obtuse-angled lintel, and a coped parapet.

The windows are mullioned. Inside the barn, you’ll find a round-headed cart entry, a segmental-headed shippon door, as well as other doors and windows. Classified as Grade II. Location: 53.64544°N 2.0430°W