150 years ago many parts of the North York Moors looked very different to the present day – the valleys and hills were filled with fire, smoke and noise as they helped fuel the industrial revolution.
A short but intense period of ironstone mining and railway construction left a huge impact on the landscape and its communities that can still be seen today.
The Land of Iron project tells the fascinating story of this trailblazing period of industrial growth and exploitation. The project has recorded, conserved and protected some of the most iconic structures that remain, helped nurture the wildlife that has reclaimed these spaces, and ensured this important part of our history is not forgotten.
The project was a Landscape Partnership scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North York Moors National Park Authority, David Ross Foundation, and other partners. The total project value is £4 million and ran between 2016 and 2021.
