Levels

These are near horizontal access tunnels which were driven from valley sides to intersect a mineral vein or veins. They were sometimes driven to provide drainage only and were, therefore, of a small size and are correctly called adits or soughs. The latter term is mostly used in Derbyshire lead mines and some coalfields. From the later 18th century, many adits were driven to a larger cross-section, which allowed the use of ponies to pull wheeled wagons on narrow gauge railway lines, and became the main means of egress to the mines. Such levels are called Horse Levels. During the late 18th and early 19th century a number of extensive level networks were developed to drain large areas of ground and, in most cases, to provide an underground transport network. This enabled all the ore from a number of veins to be brought out to a centralised dressing floor.
Bunting Level, Swaledale

Moulds Level and Dodgson Hush, Arkengarthdale.
Watersyke Level, Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale

Inclined Planes

In the 19th century a number of inclined planes or Inclined shafts were driven to provide access to mines. They were used to get men and sometimes horses into the workings without having to haul them up and down a shaft. Inclines could also be used to bring out ore and waste rock, and were usually driven in locations unsuitable for conventional horse levels.
Incline Shaft, Cononley Mine, Airedale.

 
Barretts Incline, Yarnbury Mine, Wharfedale.
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