Charcoal production was an important aspect of woodland management. It was used as a fuel in a number of industries, such as iron and lead smelting, from the Medieval period to the mid-20th century. It has been traditionally produced by slowly burning wood under controlled conditions in a turf-covered stack.

A charcoal burning platform catches the melting snow

The survival of nearly 250 charcoal burning platforms and documentary references to charcoal show that its production occurred throughout much of the Upper Derwent from as early as 1627 to the late 18th century. They comprise sub-circular earthen platforms terraced into sloping ground.

In 1770 the agents of the Duke of Devonshire had access to farms to build charcoal burning platforms. In 1797 the Duke of Norfolk paid for charcoal platforms to be constructed on his Howden estate in Bradfield parish.

A charcoal burning platform is steeply embanked on sloping ground

In the 18th century Attercliffe Forge in Sheffield, Wortley Top Forge near Stocksbridge, and Mousehole Forge at Malin Bridge rented woods to make charcoal. They were all situated at distances of 16 kilometres or more from the Upper Derwent but were on the lines of packhorse routes. They all also had closer wood supplies at hand but at this time were obviously willing to take the risk of damage to some of the charcoal from transporting it over these distances, probably for commercial concerns.

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