The site is now part of a nature reserve, owned by Plantlife and jointly managed with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Access to the Smelt Mill itself is not possible du eto the structure being unsafe, but can be observed from outside. A permisive path runs around the nature reserve and sections of the walk take you by the remains of the Smelt Mill Flue.

The Mill is currently (Oct 2024) undergoing some consolidation work as part of the North Pennine National Landscape’s “Land of Lead and Silver” Project. The work will help stabilise the structure.