Roanhead
Encyclopedia
Roanhead refers to the limestone outcrop of Roanhead Crag and the farmland behind it, but in recent years the term has been taken to mean the sandy beaches ajoining Sandscale Haws
extending to Snab Point, and as this meaning is used on official websites, it must be accepted.
The Irish Sea
lies to the west of Roanhead, whilst the Duddon Estuary
and Walney Channel
are due north and south respectively. The beach is noted for its abundance of sand dunes
and strong, often dangerous costal currents. Today the beach is a National Trust
conservation area, and a two mile stretch of the Cumbria Coastal Way
runs through it.
There are signs of shotholes on Roanhead Crag, indicating that, like Dunnerholme, it has been quarried for limestone at some time. There is a small limekiln
near the National Trust depot, one of two on the estate.
Myles Kennedy
leased the mining rights from Thomas Sandys in 1852. There may have been an earlier takenote but there is no sign of mining on the Roanhead estate on the 1850 OS map. The firm of Kennedy Brothers worked the mines until the last of the ore was taken from Nigel pit in July 1942 The Nigel mine alone is said to have produced 11 million tons of ore. It was one of several deposits on the estate. The farmhouse was moved to its present site shortly after the discovery of the Nigel deposit in 1902.
The mines left a series of subsidence craters which are now flooded. Along with the ponds left by Park mines, they are managed as fishing ponds by Furness Fishing Association.
Sandscale Haws
Sandscale Haws is a National Nature Reserve on the Duddon Estuary, Cumbria, England. It is managed by the National Trust. The reserve's sand dunes support a population of Natterjack Toads, a species which is nationally rare in Britain....
extending to Snab Point, and as this meaning is used on official websites, it must be accepted.
The Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
lies to the west of Roanhead, whilst the Duddon Estuary
Duddon Estuary
The Duddon Estuary is the sandy, gritty estuary of the River Duddon that lies between Morecambe Bay and the west Cumbrian coast.It opens into the Irish Sea to the north of the Furness peninsula; Walney Island forming part of its southern edge...
and Walney Channel
Walney Channel
Walney Channel is a narrow stretch of shallow tidal water in the Irish Sea which separates Walney Island from Barrow-in-Furness on the Great Britain mainland. The channel forms the head of the Furness peninsula and is approximately in length....
are due north and south respectively. The beach is noted for its abundance of sand dunes
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
and strong, often dangerous costal currents. Today the beach is a National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
conservation area, and a two mile stretch of the Cumbria Coastal Way
Cumbria Coastal Way
The Cumbria Coastal Way is a long distance footpath allowing users to travel from Cumbria's southern border to just north of the English - Scottish border. It follows some interesting scenery such as the red sandstone cliffs of St...
runs through it.
Mining
There are signs of shotholes on Roanhead Crag, indicating that, like Dunnerholme, it has been quarried for limestone at some time. There is a small limekiln
Limekiln
A lime kiln is used to produce quicklime through the calcination of limestone . The chemical equation for this reaction is...
near the National Trust depot, one of two on the estate.
Myles Kennedy
Myles Burton Kennedy
Myles Burton Kennedy was a Furness ironmaster, proprietor of Roanhead mines and chairman of the North Lonsdale Iron & Steel Co.-Parentage:...
leased the mining rights from Thomas Sandys in 1852. There may have been an earlier takenote but there is no sign of mining on the Roanhead estate on the 1850 OS map. The firm of Kennedy Brothers worked the mines until the last of the ore was taken from Nigel pit in July 1942 The Nigel mine alone is said to have produced 11 million tons of ore. It was one of several deposits on the estate. The farmhouse was moved to its present site shortly after the discovery of the Nigel deposit in 1902.
The mines left a series of subsidence craters which are now flooded. Along with the ponds left by Park mines, they are managed as fishing ponds by Furness Fishing Association.