The Industrial Revolution - Lake District National Park

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Home Learning Learning resources History resources History timeline The Industrial Revolution

The industrial landscape

The Industrial Revolution drastically changed parts of the Lake District. People exploited natural resources on a massive scale, created new jobs and expanded settlements to accommodate industrial workers.

Find out more below on the ways the Lake District landscape played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution.

picture of Bonsor East before conservation

Rocks

There are many types of rock in the Lake District including slate, granite, sandstone and limestone, which were quarried for building purposes. Minerals such as copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, barytes, graphite, tungsten, arsenic and diatomite have also been mined in the last 400 years.

Did you know?

The remains of the earliest railway in Britain are in a mine on the Caldbeck fells.

stott park bobbin mill

Woodlands

People have managed the Lake District woodlands for a very long time. Timber was very important for early industries as it could be turned into charcoal and used for smelting metal ores. To ensure a constant supply, people created sustainable woodlands by coppicing – cutting young tree stems to quicken and encourage growth.

Eskdale mill

Water

Water was readily available in the Lake District from the lakes, rivers and becks. This was ideal for corn mills and fulling mills – where wool was washed and processed into woollen cloth. Later, mills were used for other industries including cotton, paper and flax, tanning, brewing, pencil making, iron manufacture, gunpowder, bobbin turning and sawmilling.