Mastiles Lane

This historic lane connects the former monastic grange of Kilnsey in Wharfedale with the Malham area. It has been in use for over two thousand years, as a trade route, roman marching camp, drovers lane, and played a vital role in monastic times.

Today local farmers use Mastiles Lane for the movement of sheep and cattle between their fields, while many other use it simply to enjoy the open moorland with its wide views or come to soak up the historic atmosphere.

Roman Marching Camp

During the second half of the 1st century AD, the Roman army campaigned in the north of England against the rebellious Brigantes tribe, which ruled much of this area. The remains of Mastiles Lane Roman marching camp straddle the course present-day route, though today there is very little to see. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has provided a sign near the site of the camp showing the area covered.

Enjoy the wonderful views and historic atmosphere.

Monastic Route

The medieval monks of Fountains Abbey owned vast acreage of pastureland across the dales, and were used for the management of their great flocks of sheep. Wool became an important commodity to the monks and generated vast wealth for the abbeys of Yorkshire. Mastiles Lane provided the means to move these flocks, wool and provisions around with relative ease.

Drovers Route

After the dissolution of the monasteries, the eighteenth century saw a change in the use of Mastiles Lane. Drovers from all over the north of England and from Scotland brought cattle to the local markets, many other traders and travellers too used the old lane as a through road to the cities and towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire.