During the industrial revolution many parts of Rosedale looked very different to the present day – the valleys and hills were filled with fire, smoke and noise as they helped fuel a short but intense period of ironstone mining and railway construction.
The 100 years following the opening of the Whitby and Pickering railway in 1835 saw an explosion in ironstone mining in the Rosedale, along with even more pioneering railway construction that connected these remote valleys to Teesside and the wider world. The remains of the momentous calcining kilns at Rosedale Bank Top and Rosedale East once helped to roast the ironstone mined from the nearby mines, such as Hollins mine, to make it more financially viable. The valley hugging railways then helped to transport this precious cargo out of the North York Moors for iron and steel manufacturing. Today the valley is silent but full of wonder.