Pateley Bridge was built on industry, particularly quarrying, lead mining and brewing and the ancillary trades which supported this industry. Lead mining had been a traditional industry in Nidderdale for hundreds of years and much evidence of this activity remains.
In the Victorian era industry expanded and the arrival of the railways brought new opportunities to export the products of Nidderdale to the wider world. Mills, churches and schools were built as part of this expansion.
In the late 19th and early 20th century Nidderdale was transformed by the building of the reservoirs to supply water to the rapidly growing Bradford. The magnificent dam constructions of Gouthwaite, Angram and Scar in Upper Nidderdale are significant features of the landscape.
The Nidderdale Museum in the old Victorian Workhouse has a wealth of information on the industrial history of the area and is well worth a visit.
There are also several walks in the area based on its industrial past. For further information on these walks please visit http://www.visitnidderdaleaonb.com/nidderdale-15
For information on the history of Greenhow please visit:
http://www.greenhow-hill.org.uk
