Peak Alum works

In the 17th and 18th centuries this quiet corner of Ravenscar was one of many sites along the Yorkshire coast at the centre of a pioneering chemical industry. Vast quarries and fiery shale pits produced alum – a precious fixative that helped set vibrant dyes in Europe’s booming textile trade. The sites were chosen for their access to the shales required for the process and for their ease of transportation.

Nature has reclaimed much of the old works, now alive with seabirds and the sound of the wind, but it has been preserved enough for you to see the remains of the stonework and imagine the noise, heat and labour that once filled this dramatic landscape.

Ravenscar itself adds another layer of intrigue. Once known simply as Peak, it later became “the town that never was” – a Victorian seaside resort that never quite materialised, despite grand ambitions and a railway line that once brought visitors along the coast. Today it’s a peaceful place to explore, with the Cinder Track, moorland paths and ancient woodland all within easy reach. Don't forget to pay a visit to The National Trust Visitor Centre for route maps and trails.