The Old Gang Smelt Mill and Great Pinseat

AKA That walk from the 2026 Wuthering Heights film.

But we did it BEFORE it became famous and it was just as epic then! Because the walk to Great Pinseat is all kinds of wonderful, celebrities or no celebrities!

The Old Gang Smelting Mill is awesome

Should I leave it at that? Or should I say that it’s so awesome that the Wuthering Heights location crew thought it worthy of Hollywood screens. And we agree. But this walk is so much more than the spectacular ruins and an iconic bridge, it’s got a fabulous peak to bag too!

Located between Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, Surrender Bridge where this walk begins has a history on the screens, as being on the original opening credits for All Creatures Great and Small. But of course the kids won’t watch that… or Wuthering Heights. So what’s in it for them eh?!

Well, peaks, paddles and picnic spots!

Just remember to take home all your rubbish and leave no trace.

child playing in the water under the a dry stone bridge

Surrender Bridge

Walk Details for The Old Gang and Great Pinseat

Distance: 10km (around 6 miles) This is for the full circular, but for younger explorers try and out and back to the smelt mill ruins.

Terrain: This is a miles without stiles route, meaning the route is accessible. There is real ascent of 311m (the peak is 583m) and the paths are wide and surfaced. Essentially they are wide tracks which are easy to spot and it’s relatively easy to navigate.

Parking: There is a hardstanding area to park on near Surrender Bridge. It is a decent size, but be aware it can fill up quickly and so have a back up plan if it’s busy!

Public Transport: No. Check out the Dales Bus Website for the nearest stop.

Dog friendly? Yes, dogs to be kept under close control.

Location: Nearest village is Feetham, Swaledale .

Toilets/ Baby Change: Langthwaite/ Reeth

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Check out Langthwaite or Reeth for pubs, cafe and ice cream

Child looking at ruins of machinery

The old machinery at the Old Gang Smelting Mill

How to walk to Great Pinseat and Old Gang

Directions to be used in conjunction with a map.

  1. Starting at the parking area, head downhill to Surrender bridge and cross it. On the far side on the left is a well surfaced wide track. There is a little path heading up the bank to it, or you can walk up the road until the track meets it. Turn left onto it. The walk instructions here are easy! Follow this track all the way to the Smelting Mill Ruins!

  2. Take some time to explore the ruins. Just beyond the main ruins to the right is a little track that will take you up the bank to the gigantic peat store (pictured at the head of the page). Once you have explored, head back to the track and then continue on upstream of Old Gang Beck.

  3. After half a km, the track splits in two. Here take the right hand fork and continue onwards, keeping to the right of the beck. You will be surrounded by the scars and ruins of the mining industry. It really is spectacular to see amongst the wild moorland.

  4. Another half km on you’ll find another fork in the track. One heads over a bridge, but here you need to keep right and continue straight on. You will pass two entrances to some of the old mining levels, pretty cool to peer in (but don’t go in!)

  5. Continue following the track as it climbs and eventually bends round to the right (you will still be on that big old wide track that you started on!)

  6. The scenery here is quite frankly bizarre. The spoil heaps left by the industry that stopped many years ago are still visible and make the summit appear something like the moon! Somebody has made good use of all the rock and created a massive cairn (it makes up for the trig being the other side of the wall!)

  7. From here… You’ve got it! Head back to the big track and keep following it (it’s a bit like the yellow brick road, except it’s not yellow, made of brick and it doesn’t take you to Oz, it just takes you back to your start point!)

  8. Continue along the track and admire the stunning views across Arkengarthdale. It will gradually descend to the road, where you need to turn right and head back to Surrender Bridge.

Last walked April 2025.

One of the entrances to the old levels of the mine

Child walking through the ruins of a smelt mill with rusty machinery and a large chimney

The ruins of the old smelting mill

Child walking under blue skies to the summit cairn

The summit cairn of Great Pinseat

Children standing at the entrance to a mine tunnel

One of the old mine levels

Child standing underneath a bridge with water

Paddling at Surrender Bridge

What’s great for kids on this walk?

✨Lets talk about the ruins shall we? ALL along this walk are the ruins of the Old Gang Smelting Mill and mines and there is SO much to see, explore (safely obvs!) and talk about. The mill dates back to around the 18th and 19th Century when it was operating at its peak and closed in 1913. What remains are the old mill building and peat store as well as the old levels into the mines. You’ll also spot some of the old machinery too.

🍦Head to nearby Reeth for ice cream, it has an ice cream parlour!

🛝 And the play park!

🌳 In need of some walking distractions? Then why not check out one of our printable scavenger hunt or another of our walking games?

💦 There are spots to dip your toes in the water at Surrender Bridge.

🍻 Did somebody mention pub? There are plenty to be found in nearby Langthwaite and Reeth.

Helpful Information!

For more helpful information head to our safety tips and advice page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

Children at the cairn with arms in the air under blue skies
The route map of Surrender Mill

Want to grab the route?

Head to the Ordnance Survey Navigation App where you can download the route!

(Always carry a back up map and know how to use it)

Image is Copyright of Ordnance Survey

Tap here to head to the Ordnance Survey Route

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