Blackbeck Gunpowder Works, Cumbria: an Archaeological and Architectural Survey
Author(s): Christopher Dunn, Abby Hunt, Ian Goodall, Tony Berry
Between November 2003 and February 2004, English Heritage undertook an archaeological investigation and analytical field survey of the former gunpowder works at Blackbeck in Cumbria. The survey was undertaken as part of a wider thematic project investigating gunpowder manufactories across the whole of Cumbria. The principal surviving features are two building ranges close to the site of the former incorporating mills, as well as the saltpetre house, an oil store, an electric motor house, a former stable and store, the watch house, the women’s changing house, the cooperage, and a small office at the southern end of the works. The sites of two of four former cartridge houses form prominent earthworks in a pasture field while platforms, partly cut into bedrock, are the sites of the second charge house, a cart shed (and probably the first charge house), the first corning house location, and the dust and packing house. The cutting which contained the main store magazine also survives. Above the works, on the west, a concrete-lined reservoir associated with the works is still partially water-filled. The works had its own internal narrow gauge tramway system which was linked to the former railway branch line which extended from near Ulverston to Lakeside, by a standard gauge tramway whose route immediately south of the works is still visible. Inside the former works the main sections of these tramways have been utilised as the road system of a caravan park. (This was report 32/2004 in a previous series).
- Report Number:
- 84/2004
- Series:
- Other
- Pages:
- 154
