Mastiles Lane

Mastiles Lane, near Malham and Kilnsey in North Yorkshire, was a Roman marching road and later an important route for the Cistercian monks leading sheep from Fountains Abbey to summer pasture on higher ground. Also known as the Old Monks' Road,[1] it is now a Dales walking track.

Historic England refers to a Roman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base located along the lane.[2] The National Trust states that Mastiles Lane was owned by Coverham Abbey, near Middleham.[3] After the dissolution of the monasteries it has been suggested that Mastiles Lane became a droving route for cattle being brought south from Scotland.[4]

References

1. National Trust, Malham Tarn archaeology walk, accessed 19 November 2018
2. Historic England, Roman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base, Mastiles Lane, accessed 1 September 2019
3. National Trust, Medieval wayside cross base by Water Sinks Gate, Malham Tarn Estate, accessed 11 January 2020
4. Brockhurst, M., Kilnsey, Mastiles Lane, Malham Tarn, Cote Moor and Hawkswick, accessed 11 January 2020