In Furnace Wood, at the lower end of Dunnerdale, lies Duddon Bridge Iron Furnace. Built in 1736 and later abandoned it is now magnificently restored. In the early days iron workers used charcoal for smelting; the site chosen for the oak, hazel and birch at hand in Furnace Wood.

On the open fell, on a crop of limestone, stands a well preserved lime kiln. It was needed to produce lime to fuse the metals in the iron furnace. Criss-crossing the fells, drystone walls form boundaries between farms and pastures. They were built after land enclosures in the 18th century to prevent stock from wandering.

In the woodlands, the chiff-chaffs can be heard, constantly calling from March onwards. Soon after, willow warblers add their sweet song to the chorus. Blackcaps soon follow, together with white throats and garden warblers. At all times of year, jays, woodpeckers, tree creepers and species of tit can be seen.