BUILDINGS from a bygone age have emerged from the wilderness at an historic industrial site in Allendale.

Exploration work at the Allen Smelt Mill has uncovered the remains of stone structures which once stored lead ore in advance of the smelting process.

The sizeable buildings played an integral role in operations at the mill, which dates back to the 17th century and closed in 1896.

It’s believed they were later used to store ammunition during both world wars, and eventually became part of a lorry depot, until the site became redundant in the 1970s.

Four decades of neglect meant the buildings were hidden by overgrowth, which gradually grew into a dense wooded area.

Now the trees and other vegetation have been cut back, and volunteer archaeologists have spent the summer exploring the tunnels, arches, pipes, flues and other relics.

Specialists have been drafted in to re-build sections of the buildings which have crumbled, using lime mortar.

The project is being carried out by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, as part of its wide-ranging Allen Valleys Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Funding has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England.

Much of the tree clearance and exploratory work have been carried out by a team of volunteers, who have also prepared some of the stonework for specialists to bind it together with lime mortar.

One of the volunteers, Helen Wilkinson, said: “I first came to the smelt mill in the mid-1990s, and this part of the site was just a wooded hillside.

“You could see there was something of interest beneath it, and it has been exciting to eventually uncover these buildings and piece together a bit more of this historic site.”

Helen said finds have included the metal frame of an ancient doorway, which remains intact, and more modern examples, including lorry tyres and chocolate bar wrappers which date back to the 1960s and 70s.

The AONB Partnership’s Andy Lees said: “Unfortunately, the tree roots had caused some of the stonework to crumble.

“In some cases it forced the stone apart, and this has had to be consolidated with lime mortar.”

It’s part of a long term-project at the smelt mill site, bought by current owner Chris Bacon over a decade ago.

Since then, a large building at the site has undergone renovation and opened up as a hub for several businesses.

It is hoped that exploratory work will continue at the mill and that eventually, its once-imposing waterwheel will be recreated, boosting the site’s growing appeal as a heritage visitor attraction.

The AONB’s Allen Valleys Landscape Partnership scheme got under way in April 2014, after securing £1.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The five-year scheme includes working with other organisations on a multitude of initiatives, from the conservation of historic buildings, the management of riverbanks, woodland and wildlife schemes, to the promotion of electric bikes and vehicles.

Mr Lees said more volunteers would be needed to ensure that the wider scheme had a lasting legacy.

He added: “We’re more than halfway through our five-year initiative in the Allen Valleys.

“To keep some of these important projects going, we will need volunteers with drive and determination.

“If we can also find people with specialist skills, such as legal knowledge, finance and fund-raising, perhaps we could set up a social enterprise or charity to move things forward after our five years are up.”

To get involved, contact Andy in the North Pennine AONB’s Allendale office on (01434) 683517.