Sunset, Stars, and Industrial Echoes at Sikehead

With only a few hours to spare at the end of the day, I decided to make the most of the clear skies and head to Sikehead Lead Mine Chimney and Sikehead Smelt Mill Chimney. There was a chance of catching the aurora borealis, but unfortunately, it didn’t show for me. That didn’t stop me from capturing some stunning shots as the day faded into night, with the landscape bathed in golden light before transitioning into deep blues and starlit skies.

Sikehead Lead Mine Chimney at Sunset

Standing tall against the vast North Pennines landscape, Sikehead Lead Mine Chimney is a striking reminder of the region’s mining heritage. Built in the 19th century, it was part of a network of lead mines that once made Weardale and Teesdale some of the most important mining areas in Britain. The chimney served as an essential part of the mine’s ventilation system, allowing harmful fumes from underground workings to escape safely. Mining in this area was driven by the demand for lead, which was used for everything from roofing and pipes to ammunition. However, as the industry declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sites like Sikehead were abandoned, leaving behind industrial ruins that now blend into the rugged moorland.

The sunset light created a breathtaking contrast between the chimney’s weathered stone and the golden hues of the sky. From the air, the chimney stood as a solitary silhouette, surrounded by rolling hills stretching towards the horizon. The changing light painted the landscape in shades of orange, pink, and purple, making for some spectacular aerial views.

Sikehead Smelt Mill Chimney After Sunset

Not far from the mine chimney stands the Sikehead Smelt Mill Chimney, another crucial piece of the area’s lead mining past. Smelt mills were where lead ore was processed, using intense heat to separate the metal from impurities. The chimneys at sites like this helped to carry away toxic fumes, protecting workers and reducing pollution in the immediate area. The lead industry once dominated this region, employing thousands, but by the early 20th century, demand had fallen, and many smelt mills were left to ruin. Today, the remains of these industrial sites serve as reminders of a lost era, scattered across the moors like ghosts of a once-booming industry.

As the last traces of daylight faded, the sky took on deep blues and purples, creating a dramatic contrast with the dark silhouette of the chimney. The soft afterglow from the sunset lingered just long enough to highlight the chimney’s weathered stone, making for some beautifully moody captures. The stillness of the landscape at this time of night added an almost eerie sense of history, as if the past was still whispering through the ruins.

Sikehead Smelt Mill Chimney Under the Stars

With the aurora borealis failing to appear, I turned my focus to the incredible night sky above the Sikehead Smelt Mill Chimney. This remote part of the North Pennines is designated as a Dark Sky area, meaning minimal light pollution allows for breathtaking views of the stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way on a clear night. The same remoteness that once made this area ideal for industry now makes it a paradise for stargazers.

Using long-exposure photography, I captured the chimney framed against the night sky, its outline standing bold and unchanging beneath a universe in motion. The stars stretched endlessly, their cold light contrasting with the warmth of the stone. This kind of scene makes you think about the passage of time—how the miners who once worked here may have looked up at the same sky after a long shift, perhaps dreaming of a different life beyond the moors.

Wrapping Up the Day

Though the aurora didn’t show, tonight’s adventure was far from disappointing. Sikehead’s chimneys stood tall through the golden glow of sunset, the deep blues of twilight, and the silent expanse of the stars. From industrial history to natural wonder, this place continues to be one of the most atmospheric and photogenic spots in the North Pennines.

Which of today’s captures is your favourite - sunset, twilight, or stars? Let me know in the comments!

Credit: DJ Aerial Photography#DJAerialPhotography #SikeheadLeadMine #SikeheadSmeltMill #MiningHeritage #NorthPennines #DarkSkies #AerialPhotography