DIRT POT - Jewel Of The North

---

Have you ever been to Dirt Pot?

No? Never,

I thought not.

Dirt Pot is one of those controversial places. Nestled in the North Pennines, it is within spitting distance of Allenheads, the third highest village in England. Flash in Derbyshire and Nenthead in Cumbria are higher. You will find Dirt Pot on many maps, but you will find no mention of it anywhere when you arrive there, except on public footpath signs..

That's the controversial bit. Locally, some people would prefer if the name disappeared completely. Others have suggested re-naming the place Dovespool. But many love the name and its historical context. Though no one knows for certain, it is likely to be a leadmining term. There was a smelter on site many years ago.

And now? What is there to do in Dirt Pot?

Well...um...er...

There are a plethora of wild flowers along the riverbank.

There's a rather austere yet functional bridge.

There are many reminders of the bygone leadmining age. Many ruins litter the landscape.

Slag heaps are everywhere. It has taken 100 years for the grass to nearly grow over the slag.

There are reservoirs, used in the past to power machinery.

And there are Methodist Chapels. Some still in use, some converted into houses.

The locals are friendly. Inquisitive, yes. But friendly nonetheless, providing visitors bring bulging wallets and spend copious amounts on twenty-five year old postcards and very little else.

The river runs fast. It is a spate river and has caused the road to subside. It is not, as some have thought, a late night reveler returning from the pub having had his/her fill of the local strong ale and falling through the fence, head first into the river.

Finally there is the sewage station. The gentle humming and movement of the rotating arms have a soporific effect and send most to sleep after ten minutes. Therefore the time it will take the average person to see the delights of Dirt Pot will vary. Ten minutes or one hour ten minutes if you include a siesta on the riverbank between the wild flowers and the sewage station.

So this is Dirt Pot. Home of Dirt Pot Dickie's Tours Of The Unexpected. It had to therefore be the first entry in the blog.

---