Post-Medieval Tannery at Cawker Wood, Felkirk: A Listed Ancient Monument “At Risk”
The post-medieval tannery is in Cawker Wood near the site of the deserted Medieval Village of Hodroyd. It is a scheduled ancient monument, the site holds significant historical value, though it is not as well preserved as one might hope. Despite its deteriorated state, the site offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into a bygone era, shedding light on a trade that played a crucial role in the development of Britain’s rural economy during the post-medieval period.
What Was a Tannery?
A tannery was a place where animal hides — typically from cattle, sheep, or goats — were processed to create leather. The tanning process involved soaking the raw hides in various solutions, often containing tannins extracted from tree bark, to preserve them and turn them into durable leather. Leather, in turn, was essential for countless products, from footwear and clothing to saddles and furniture.
The process of tanning was labour-intensive and time-consuming, typically involving several stages of soaking, washing, and curing the hides. The tannery workers used large vats, pits, and water channels to manage these stages, and these features are some of the few remains still visible at the Cawker Wood site today.
The Post-Medieval Tannery at Cawker Wood
The tannery has not fared well in terms of preservation. Today, the site is defined mainly by the remains of water features that were once vital to the tannery’s operations. The most noticeable of these features are the pond, water channels, and leats (small artificial waterways) that were used to direct water through the site to power various parts of the tanning process. Earthworks, which would have supported the industrial buildings and platforms where the workers would have toiled, are also still visible in parts of the woodland.
The Site’s Current Condition: At Risk
The tannery at Cawker Wood has now been classified as “at risk” by Historic England. This designation highlights the ongoing threats to the site, from natural decay and overgrowth to the impact of modern human activity, mainly off-road Motor Bikes. The lack of effective preservation measures and the gradual disappearance of key structural elements mean that the site’s historical importance is increasingly at risk of being lost.
Why is Cawker Wood’s Tannery Important?
While much of the physical fabric of the tannery has vanished, Cawker Wood’s tannery still holds immense value. It’s a rare surviving example of the kind of small-scale industrial enterprise that was common in rural areas during the post-medieval period. In an age when leather goods were in high demand, tanneries like the one at Cawker Wood would have been essential for the production of everything from shoes and clothing to saddles and harnesses.
The Cawker Wood tannery serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to safeguard our industrial heritage. The Felkirk Heritage Group hope to continue to work with Wakefield M D C to stop the site from deteriorating any further.
Visiting the Site
The remnants of the pond, water channels, and earthworks can still be explored, and with a little imagination, one can begin to picture how this site would have looked during its industrial heyday.
There is an urgent need for increased awareness and preservation efforts. Visitors interested in the site’s history can support its continued recognition and conservation by respecting its fragile state, learning about its significance, and raising awareness about its importance to the area’s heritage.
