These buildings where part of the Greenside Lead Mine, the first Lead was discovered farther up the hillside in 1650, this level known as the Lucy Tongue was driven between 1854 and 1868 a total of 1700 yards long all dug by hand through hard and soft rock.
The buildings would have housed the main smelting and crushing mill, and a powder house. Mining continued on three levels until 1961 when the last ore reserves were mined.
In 1962 pumping and repairs ceased, the site cleared and the mine closed.
The last few standing buildings were taken over and rebuilt, they are now part of the YHA.
