Calver Hill is a fell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England. It is composed of limestone[4] and is situated at grid reference NZ012003, near where the valleys of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale meet, the village of Reeth is located on its lower south-eastern slopes, it reaches an altitude of 487 metres (1,598 ft) and is a distinguished feature in mid Swaledale.[2][5][6][7] Calver Hill is an area of grouse shooting and the fell is dotted with grouse butts. Most of the drainage from the fell goes north and easterly to join the Arkle Beck in lower Arkengarthdale which eventually joins the River Swale just south of Reeth.

Calver Hill
Mount Calva Mount Calvey (archaic)
Calver Hill seen from Fremington Edge
Highest point
Elevation	487 m (1,598 ft)
Prominence	90 m (300 ft)[1]
Coordinates	54.397°N 1.980°W / 54.397; -1.980[2]
Geography
Location	Swaledale, North Yorkshire
Country	England
OS grid	NZ012003[3]

History

Evidence exits on the slopes of Calver Hill that point to use during the Neolithic Period and the Bronze Age. Finds of arrowheads, flints, and field patterns also point to possible areas of habitation.[8] The whole area of Calver Hill is sometimes referred to as Reeth Low Moor, and in some older texts, the name of the hill is recorded as either Mount Calvey, or Calvey Hill. Another alternative name of Mount Calva persists into the modern day.[9][10][11]

Older versions of the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map show a trig point at the summit of Calver Hill but all there is now is a pile of rubble and mining spoil to form a summit cairn. The fell is littered with signs of Calver Hill’s industrial past; there is a large disused quarry 500 metres (1,600 ft) north-west of the summit cairn, there are also disused tips, pits and shafts from former lead mines. Lead mining reached its heyday in the 19th century in this area and they were some of the most productive mines in Yorkshire. Calver Hill was a Bole hill a place where the lead from the mines was smelted in an open air furnace which used the prevailing wind to increase the heat.[12] Burnt stones and a scattering of slag show the locations of these furnaces.[13][14]

In January 1868, the disposal of some nitro-glycerine on top of the hill caused some worry in nearby Reeth and Arkengarthdale as the local population were not informed of the impending explosion. The blast caused debris to extend over 200 yards (180 m) our from the centre, and local people thought they were under attack.[15]

Walks

This section does not cite any sources. (September 2022)

Calver Hill can be climbed from Reeth or from Langthwaite and Arkle Town in Arkengarthdale. From Reeth, Skelgate Lane is taken from just to the west of the village, this climbs through farmland until the open fell is reached at a height of 300 metres (980 ft), the western ridge is then followed to the summit of the fell.

From Arkengarthdale, the Arkle Town to Healaugh bridleway can be used to attain the western ridge at a height of 420 metres (1,380 ft); it is then a simple walk to reach the top.

References

Sources

• Laurie, M (2011). "Archaelogical Landscapes of Reeth Moor". Memoirs. Sheffield: The Northern Mines Research Society. 92. ISSN 0308-2199.
• Speight, Harry (1897). Romantic Richmondshire: Being a complete account of the history, antiquities and scenery of the picturesque valleys of the Swale and Yore. London: E Stock. OCLC 252008733.
• Swaledale and Arkengarthdale (PDF). archive.yorkshiredales.org.uk (Report). 2002. Retrieved 1 October 2021.