The Historic Environment
The Authority helps look after the incredible historic environment of the Yorkshire Dales. Not everyone appreciates just how much archaeology and history is out there so we have written a special website which opens a whole new window onto our past. 
Whether you are planning to visit intriguing archaeological sites in the area, researching the historical landmarks of your village, or simply a lover of the Yorkshire Dales, Out of Oblivion (website opens in new window) offers something for all. There is even a section featuring the work of the Young Archaeologists project in the Dales, along with exciting adventure stories about the lives of children here in the past.
The website was two years in the making and completed in 2005. Its aim was to make it easier to access and understand the information in the Historic Environment Record (HER), held and maintained by the Authority, by putting it online. The HER consists of a comprehensive database, photographs and paper records about the historic environment of the Dales, and is continually updated and developed through the flow of information from people researching the area's history and landscape.
The project was named 'Out of Oblivion' because we felt that so much of the historic environment of the Yorkshire Dales lies unnoticed or not understood.
2005 also saw the culmination of the 'Private Spaces Public Places' (PSPP) project. This involved 17 communities in the Richmondshire part of the National Park in taking a more active role in the management and enhancement of the historic character of their villages. One result of the project was the production of displays, leaflets and other interpretive media about the history of each village and featuring some of the more interesting buildings. Leaflets about the following villages can be downloaded from the Document Library. Click on the links below:
- Aysgarth PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Carperby PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Castle Bolton PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Feetham & Low Row PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Grinton PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Gunnerside PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Hardraw PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- West Burton PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Thornton Rust PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Thoralby PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Sedbusk PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Newbiggin PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Muker PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Keld PSPP leaflet (opens Document Library)
- Bartle Trail leaflet (opens Document Library)
The PSPP project provided an opportunity for villages to 'interpret' their heritage in different ways. Some produced leaflets as above, others worked together on other projects.
At Gayle, the liaison group decided that they wished to design their own interpretative bench - as illustrated in the photos here. This was constructed by a local firm and now stands by a ford over the river.
At Gunnerside, local shoolchildren were involved in a two day arts workshop to produce a design for an interpretative bench, which would reflect the village's industrial heritage. The bench - shown below - was then built by the local blacksmith, Mr S Calvert, who is also pictured below with local schoolchildren. It can now be found alongside the footpath which runs to the right of the ghyll, up towards the mining remains.
For more information please contact us
Historic Environment Team
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale
Bainbridge
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 3EL
0870 1 666333
