The historic core of Cawthorne is focused along Taylor Hill and Darton Road. There has been some modern replacement of properties within this area but the dominant character of the area dates to around the 18th century. There is good survival of some 17th century properties and examples of medieval structures. This gives partial legibility of former townscapes. Cawthorne, alongside Dodworth, was a centre for tanning in the 16th century (Sykes 1993, 234) and 14th century tax returns indicated that tanning was also taking place earlier. There is also evidence of early ironstone workings in the area. (Pratt 1882, 52). Within the historic core of the village evidence of industrial activities is confined to two linen weavers cottages (Bayliss 1995, 54). Coal mining had been taking place in the surrounding area from an early date but only became a large scale industry in the 18th/19th century. The building of the Barnsley Canal in 1799 assisted the local collieries (Pratt 1882, 63).